March 3, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel
The Enugu State Police Command has released two respected Islamic leaders whose detention last week stirred widespread outrage and allegations of rights violations within the Muslim community.
The clerics — Alhaji Musa Ani, 74-year-old Director of the Islamic Centre in Uwani, and Alhaji Suleiman Haruna Sule, the Sarikin Hausawa of Enugu — were granted bail after days in custody, following mounting pressure from civil society organisations and community leaders.
Their arrest had drawn sharp criticism from the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), which described the detention as a breach of fundamental human rights, particularly considering the advanced age of the suspects and what it termed a civil dispute.
Alhaji Ani was arrested on Friday, February 27, 2026, at the Islamic Centre premises in Uwani. The following day, Alhaji Suleiman Haruna Sule was detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) when he reportedly visited the facility to secure bail for Ani.
The arrests stemmed from a petition filed by Alhaji Ezeani Ibrahim, a tenant managing shops within the Islamic Centre complex, who accused the Director of misappropriating ₦100 million belonging to the institution. However, members of the Islamic community have strongly denied the allegation, insisting that the Centre operates mainly on donations and could not have handled such a large sum.
CRRAN President, Olu Omotayo, had earlier criticised what he described as a pattern of “Friday arrests,” alleging that such actions are often calculated to keep suspects in custody over the weekend without court intervention. He maintained that the matter was an internal disagreement within the Muslim community and should not have resulted in prolonged detention.
Following what sources described as “intense public pressure,” the police granted bail to the two elders. Community members have since expressed relief, describing the development as a victory for justice and fairness.
While the two leaders have reunited with their families, police authorities have indicated that investigations into the alleged financial misappropriation remain ongoing.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue to monitor developments surrounding the case and provide updates as more details emerge.
