The court consequently awarded N2million as damages against the Nigerian Army and the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai for the violation of Umar's fundamental rights.
The Federal High Court sitting in Maiduguri, Borno State, has declared the arrest, torture and prolonged detention of a man, Sheriff Umar by the Nigerian Army unlawful and unconstitutional, ruling that his fundamental rights were grossly violated after he was wrongly identified as the coordinator of the December 24, 2025 suicide bombing attack at the Gamboru Market Mosque.
Justice Jude K. Dagat delivered the judgment on July 9, 2026, in Suit No. FHC/MG/CS/37/26, Sheriff Umar v. Nigerian Army & Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, Maiduguri, holding that Umar's constitutional rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty and freedom of movement were infringed by the respondents.
The court consequently awarded N2million as damages against the Nigerian Army and the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai for the violation of Umar's fundamental rights.
The ruling followed an Originating Motion filed on May 5, 2026, by Umar through his counsel, H. N. Dantani, challenging what he described as his unlawful arrest, torture and detention by the military from December 30, 2025.
