Reported by : Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A woman, Hauwa Umar Saulawa, has dragged the Katsina State Hisbah Board and four individuals before the Katsina State High Court, alleging unlawful arrest, detention and punishment over an alleged zina-related offence.
Saulawa, through her lawyer, Mujaheed Alameen of Imtiyaz Law Chambers, filed the fundamental-rights suit marked KTH/3077/2026 at the Katsina Judicial Division.
The defendants include the Katsina State Hisbah Board, a former Deputy Commander-General of the board, Malam Muhammad Shitu Maslaha; Malam Nafiu M. Akilu, identified as an Officer-in-Charge of Team Operation; Huraira Ahmad of the Hisbah Women Wing Operation Team; and Kabiru Mashi, popularly known as “KB Engineer.”
In the court documents, Saulawa alleged that she was arrested on August 21, 2026, and remained in detention until about 3pm the following day.
She further alleged that she was subjected to 33 strokes of the cane in connection with the alleged zina-related matter.
The claimant argued that the alleged treatment violated her fundamental rights, particularly the constitutional protection of the dignity of the human person and freedom from torture or degrading treatment under Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Saulawa is asking the court to declare her arrest, detention, alleged maltreatment and punishment unlawful and a violation of her fundamental rights.
She is also relying on provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights in challenging the alleged conduct.
Among the reliefs being sought, she wants an injunction restraining the defendants, their officers or agents from allegedly arresting, detaining, assaulting, threatening or harassing her in connection with the matter.
She is further seeking N5 million in damages for the alleged violation of her fundamental rights, alongside a written apology and the cost of the legal proceedings.
The application was dated October 7, 2026.
As of the latest reports reviewed, the Katsina State Hisbah Board and the other defendants had not publicly responded to the allegations contained in the suit.
The allegations therefore remain claims made by the claimant and have not been established by the court.
The case comes days after the former Commander-General of the Katsina Hisbah Board, Dr Aminu Usman, popularly known as Abu Ammar, resigned from his position. His resignation took effect immediately and was contained in a letter dated October 5, 2026.
The latest lawsuit adds to scrutiny of the activities of Hisbah authorities in Katsina, particularly regarding the treatment of persons arrested during enforcement operations.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com
✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com | 📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters News | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew | 📸 Instagram: @stonereportersnews
Add comment
Comments