The Federal High Court sitting in Kano has adjourned a suit filed by a Kano-based woman falsely accused of drug trafficking in Saudi Arabia, Bahijja Aminu Abdullahi, against Ethiopian Airlines, Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCO) and Ali Abubakar Muhammad to October 8, 2026, to allow parties to explore an amicable settlement.
The case, which is before Hon. Justice S.M. Shuaib of Court 1, stems from the controversial incident that led to Bahijja’s arrest in Saudi Arabia during a lesser (Umrah) pilgrimage after luggage containing suspected illicit drugs was allegedly linked to her travel documents.
Counsel to the applicant, Barrister Ibrahim Muhammad, disclosed in an interview with SolaceBase that the suit was filed in January 2026, against Ethiopian Airlines named as the first respondent, SAHCO as the second respondent, and Ali Abubakar Muhammad as the third respondent.
According to him, court processes were successfully served on Ethiopian Airlines and SAHCO before the first sitting of the case, while efforts to serve the third respondent were still ongoing at the time.
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He explained that during the first hearing on March 2, 2026, the court verified proof of service and observed that the respondents had not entered appearance through their lawyers.
Subsequently, SAHCO filed a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter.
“The second respondent filed a preliminary objection, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case. We responded by filing our processes, insisting that the court has the requisite jurisdiction,” Barrister Muhammad said.
He further stated that at the subsequent sitting on May 7, counsel for the third respondent, Ali Abubakar Muhammad, appeared before the court and was granted time to file a response.
The matter was thereafter adjourned to June to enable all respondents to file their responses and for the court to hear the pending preliminary objections challenging its jurisdiction.
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However, at the latest sitting, counsel for SAHCO informed the court of the company’s willingness to pursue an out-of-court settlement.
“The lawyer for the second respondent moved a motion indicating their readiness to reconcile and settle the matter amicably. Based on that application, the court granted the parties time to explore settlement options,” the lawyer explained.
Justice Shuaib subsequently adjourned the matter to October 8, 2026.
Barrister Muhammad noted that the issue of jurisdiction raised by the respondents remains pending and may be determined by the court if efforts at settlement fail.
BACKGROUND
The case is linked to a widely publicised incident involving Bahijja Aminu Abdullahi, who was arrested in Saudi Arabia in August 2025 after a bag containing suspected illicit drugs was allegedly traced to her travel documents during an Umrah pilgrimage.
SolaceBase reports that investigations by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) later uncovered what authorities described as a drug trafficking network allegedly operating through Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
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Investigators alleged that luggage containing prohibited substances was attached to the travel documents of unsuspecting passengers without their knowledge.
Following investigations by Nigerian authorities and the presentation of evidence to Saudi officials, Bahijja and other affected pilgrims were cleared of wrongdoing and subsequently released.
The incident attracted national attention, raising concerns over passenger security and baggage handling procedures at Nigerian airports.
It also led to the arrest and prosecution of several suspects allegedly linked to the luggage-tagging syndicate at the Federal High Court in Kano.
Bahijja subsequently approached the Federal High Court seeking legal redress over the circumstances that led to her arrest, detention and ordeal in Saudi Arabia.
