COURT ORDERS IGP, TARABA CP TO PRODUCE FONYA SULE OVER CONTINUED DETENTION
Federal High Court fixes September 3 for police to produce detainee, explain circumstances of detention
By Taraba News | Abuja/Jalingo
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Taraba State Command, to produce Fonya Sule before the court over his continued detention.
The order was made by Hon. Justice Chigozie Sergius Onah on Friday, August 28, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1934/2026, a fundamental-rights enforcement action instituted by Sule against the Inspector-General of Police and the Taraba State Commissioner of Police.
According to the certified court order obtained by Taraba News, Sule had approached the court seeking an order granting him bail pending his arraignment or trial before an appropriate court.
Alternatively, he asked the court to direct the police authorities to produce him before the Federal High Court and show cause why he should not be admitted to bail.
The applicant also sought further orders considered necessary by the court for the protection and preservation of his fundamental rights, including his rights to personal liberty, fair trial and the presumption of innocence.
The case followed Sule’s detention, reportedly arising from a Facebook publication concerning a person popularly referred to as “Aunty Zee.” The police are alleged to have linked the publication to Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, leading to allegations of defamation.
However, the court order itself does not determine whether Sule committed defamation or any other offence. The present proceedings concern the circumstances and legality of his continued detention and his request for bail.
Court Questions Continued Detention
In its ruling, the Federal High Court noted that Sule had been in detention since August 12, 2026.
Justice Onah held that the court was empowered under Sections 32 and 159 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, to order that the applicant be brought before it so that the circumstances surrounding his detention could be examined.
The court consequently ordered:
> “That Applicant shall be produced before the Court on 3/9/2026 before the Court to inquire with the circumstances of his continued detention.”
The court further adjourned the matter to Thursday, September 3, 2026, for the respondents to show cause, with hearing notices ordered to be issued on them.
This means the Inspector-General of Police and Taraba State Commissioner of Police are expected to respond to the proceedings, while Sule is to be physically produced before the court for an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding his continued detention.
Ex-Parte Application
Court documents show that the motion ex-parte was dated August 17, 2026 and filed on August 18.
The court considered an affidavit in support of the application as well as a written address before making the production order.
The document also records M.T. Anifowoshe, Esq. as appearing for the applicant when the motion was heard.
Information made available to Taraba News indicates that the fundamental-rights action was instituted by the legal team representing Sule, with human-rights lawyer P.D. Pius, Esq., Notary Public, identified as counsel involved in challenging his detention.
Bail Yet to Be Determined
Importantly, the August 28 order does not amount to an order releasing Sule on bail.
Although bail was among the reliefs sought in the application, the court at this stage directed that he be produced before it so it could inquire into the circumstances of his detention. The substantive question of his release is therefore expected to receive further consideration when the matter returns to court.
The development is likely to draw attention to the balance between law-enforcement powers, protection of reputation, freedom of expression and the constitutional rights of persons accused of offences arising from social-media publications.
As of publication, Taraba News has not independently established that Sule has been formally charged or arraigned for defamation, and the allegations against him remain allegations unless established before a competent court.
The matter returns to the Federal High Court, Abuja, on September 3, 2026.
Taraba News will follow the proceedings and bring further details as they emerge.
