Woman sues Katsina Hisbah over alleged detention, flogging

A woman, Hauwa Umar Saulawa, has filed a fundamental rights suit before the Katsina State High Court, seeking N5 million in damages over her alleged arrest, detention and flogging in connection with an alleged adultery incident.

The suit, numbered KTH/3077/2026, was filed by her lawyer, Mujaheed Alameen of Imtiyaz Law Chambers, at the Katsina Judicial Division of the High Court.

The defendants are the Katsina State Hisbah Board; Muhammad Shitu Maslaha, former Deputy Commander-General in charge of operations; Nafiu M. Akilu, OC Team Operation; Huraira Ahmad of the Women’s Operations Team; and Kabiru Mashi, popularly known as “KB Engineer”.

In court documents dated October 7, 2026, Saulawa alleged that she was arrested on August 21 and detained until about 3pm on August 22.

She asked the court to declare that her arrest and detention violated her constitutional right to personal liberty.

The plaintiff further alleged that she was subjected to 33 strokes of the cane in connection with the adultery allegation.

She argued that the alleged flogging violated her right to dignity of the human person guaranteed under Section 34 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

“I was subjected to 33 strokes of the cane,” she alleged in the court filing.

Saulawa also asked the court to declare that her alleged arrest, detention, assault and flogging over the incident were unlawful and amounted to violations of her fundamental rights.

She relied on provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, arguing that the alleged actions of the defendants violated rights protected under the regional human rights instrument.

Among the reliefs sought is an order restraining the defendants, their officers or agents from allegedly arresting, detaining, assaulting, threatening or otherwise harassing her in connection with the matter.

She is also seeking N5 million in damages for the alleged violation of her fundamental rights, a written apology and the cost of the proceedings.

Saulawa further asked the court to grant any other relief it considers appropriate.

The suit was dated October 7, 2026.

As of the time of filing this report, the Katsina State Hisbah Board and the other defendants had not publicly responded to the allegations.