Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court will on Monday [today] rule on the application filed by the embattled leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, who is seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment.
The bail hearing comes barely three days after a Federal High Court in Abuja granted the Federal Government the power to proscribe the Shi’ittes’ organisation
The Shi’ittes’ protests in Abuja had been violent. They had also resulted in the death of a police officer and a National Youth Scheme Corps member, Precious Owolabi.
On Sunday, the Kaduna State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Yakubu Sabo, assured the people of the state that adequate security had been put in place for hitch-free court appearance.
The spokesman, who spoke told newsmen that the public was advised to remain calm and not to be apprehensive where they observe unusual number of security personnel in town.
“As part of the strategy put in place for a smooth process of the court trial, there will be traffic diversion in the following areas: Independence way, Bida Road, All roads leading to Ibrahim Taiwo Road,” he said. ENDS.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, known as the Shi’ittes, has described the Abuja High Court order proscribing its activities and tagging it as a terrorist group, as a “ huge joke.”
The Federal Government had on Friday obtained a court order to proscribe the Islamic sect.
The Federal High Court through Justice Nkeonye Maha granted the order and designated the activities of the IMN in any part of the country “as acts of terrorism and illegality.”
But the President, Media Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim Musa, in a statement on Sunday, stated that the group “learnt of the fallacious court order” but the movement had yet to receive it.
He said, “Our scholars and lawyers are already studying the development, and we will provide an appropriate and adequate response in due course.”
Musa assured the public and the international community that the sect would not be pushed to taking harsh decision no matter the provocation.
The group argued that the Federal Government hastily obtained the court order to sweep the glaring human rights abuses meted to its members by the Buhari’s administration under the carpet.
The statement partly read, “We are in consultations with our lawyers, and we will, as a peaceful people who have been victims of the Buhari government’s sponsored terror attacks throughout his first term and continuing, give an appropriate response.
“…We reject any false terror attacks that the authorities would be plotting in our name, and by this assure the general public that we have never contemplated the use of terror tactics. This is not about to change.
Meanwhile, a judiciary watchdog, Access to Justice, has faulted the proscription of the IMN, describing the court’s pronouncement as “unconstitutional and deeply unfortunate.”
The group in a statement by its convener, Mr Joseph Otteh, said it was dismayed that Justice Maha would grant such an order in a way that sacrificed the rights of the Shi’ites to present their own side of the story.
Describing the court’s approach as flawed, A2J said Justice Maha’s final decision betrayed the long-standing judicial practice of not deciding a case based on a one-sided account.
The group said, “A legitimate judicial process takes account of, and hears the cases and defences of everyone accused of misconduct and/or whose interests would be affected by a court decision and orders. To that extent, Justice Maha’s ruling is strongly objectionable. It did not follow nor respect basic constitutional standards applicable to a judicial proceeding, but disavowed inexplicably and without justification.
“In a democracy, legislations must pass the tests of constitutionality to be enforceable by a court. The court ought to have satisfied itself that the legislation under which it acted, which so gravely imperils the fundamental rights of citizens to assemble and move freely, champion their causes and practise their religion, passes constitutional muster. It did not do so, unfortunately.”
Also, the Coalition of United Political Parties on Sunday accused President Muhammadu Buhari of making Nigeria a country with many terrorist groups with the designation of the IMN as a terrorist group.
The CUPP’s spokesman, Mr. Imo Ugochinyere, in an interview with one of our correspondents in Abuja said the proscription of Shiites could worsen the already precarious security situation in the country.
Also, the Anglican Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Most Reverend Emmanuel Chukwuma, has warned President Buhari not to drag Nigeria into another civil war with the proscription of the IMN.
Tag: el-zakzaky
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Court to decide El-Zakzaky’s bail today
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Why Buhari did not honour court orders to release El-Zakzaky, Dasuki, others – Malami
…as Senate adjourns till Tuesday
The immediate past Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, explained yesterday that the continued incarceration of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and former National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki, is in the interest of national security.
Malami told senators during his screening for a fresh ministerial appointment that although he has a responsibility as Justice Minister to protect individual rights, it was equally his responsibility to protect the corporate interest of the country.
He had been taken to task by the Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, to explain to Nigerians why the rights of those granted bail by the court were still being violated by keeping them in custody.
Malami did not mention El-Zakzaky and Dasuki by name.
He declared that those granted bail and yet to be freed were being held in the overall interest of the country.
Malami said: “Abaribe asked his question relying on Section 36, 37 and 38 of the Constitution as they relate to the rights of the individual. I concede that I have had the responsibility to protect the rights of every Nigerian.
“The office of the AGF is made to protect the rights of individuals and the corporate rights of the nation. Section 174 of the Constitution is explicit that where the individual interest conflicts with public interest, public interest prevails.
“I concede that I have had a responsibility as the attorney general of the federation to protect individual rights. But looking at the provisions of section 174 of the constitution of Nigeria, I want to reiterate and state further that the office of the attorney general is meant to protect public interest. And where the individual interest conflicts with public interest, the interest of 180 million Nigerians that are interested in having this country integrated must naturally prevail.”
He said that Asari Dokubo’s case gave credence to his assertion that national interest supersedes individual interest.
Malami also told the Senate that under his watch as AGF and minister Justice, over 63-terrorism-related cases were instituted against suspected terrorists.
He noted that 59 convictions were secured out of the 63 cases within the four years.Malami informed the lawmakers that over 4,400 criminal cases were also filed against suspects in parts of the country.“About 59 terrorism convictions out of 63 cases within a space of four years were secured when I was the Minister of Justice. Over 4,400 criminal cases were prosecuted within a space of four years.”
Malami stressed the need for collaboration between the Executive and the Legislature to ensure that bills passed by the National Assembly receive Presidential assent.
The Executive, he said, must be consulted before bills are passed if they are expected to receive the President’s assent.
On why the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB) was rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari, he said: “The interest of host communities was compromised. Self-serving portions were brought into the bill. So much power was conferred on an individual instead of an institution.
“If there was an understanding with institutions that had direct bearing with the Bill, it would not have been rejected by the President.”
Malami said: ‘Under me, the following bills were brought: National Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) bill, Proceed of Crimes bill, Mutual Assistance and Legal matters bill, Anti-Terrorism bill and others. Nigeria was at a time facing an expulsion threat.
“At the international forum, we have joined open government partnership under a president that told us that we should not only be seen fighting corruption locally but transparent internationally.
“In terms of the fight against terrorism, we have succeeded within the time I was made Attorney General. We worked on 63 terrorism cases and secured 59 convictions. We took effective measures.
“I am happy to report that we have succeeded in helping the government to save N145 billion and $5 billion within a period of three years.
“We increased the recovery account from N19 billion to N279 billion as at November 2018.
“It is my desire to operate within the spirit of constitution of Nigeria that established the need for integration.
Also screened yesterday were Mr.Festus Keyamo (SAN) from Delta State, Alhaji Isa Ali Pantami (Gombe State), Mrs.Paullen Tallen (Plateau State), Mr.Hadi Sirika (Katsina State) , Dr.Osagie Ehinare (Edo State) and Mohammed Maigeri Dengeji (Sokoto State).
Ehanire calls for more funding for PHCs
Dr Osagie Ehanire, the immediate past Minister of State for Health, asked lawmakers providing constituency projects and other individuals to support further development of Primary Health Care (PHC) centres in the country.
He said although primary health care was now receiving funding from government, more logistic support was needed to deliver services to Nigerians.
He listed areas requiring support to include provision of water, solar power and staff quarters for the health centres across the country.
The nominee also called for the channelling of more funds into PHC, noting that there were more challenges in the PHC than in tertiary health.
He decried a situation where estimated N1 billion ended as capital flight on oversee treatments annually.
He also noted that the National Agency for Drugs and Foods Administration (NAFDAC) under the supervision of the ministry had destroyed substantial fake drugs across the country.
He said the ministry had also improved the immunisation of children and polio vaccination in the last four years.
Osagie was however asked to take a bow after attempting some questions.
The nominee from Plateau State, Mrs Pauline Tallen was also asked to take a bow by the senate as did the immediate past Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, who is a former senator.
Sirika: Why Enugu airport should be shut
Sirika told reporters at the National Assembly that the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu should be shut to avoid disaster.
Senator Sirika described the runway of the airport as an eye sore not befitting a modern airport.
He said: “On Enugu Airport, I visited Enugu Airport as minister thrice including the state government and unofficially twice. It has a lot of problems.
“If you ask me, I will close Enugu Airport tomorrow, actually today, because the runway has failed.
“They are maintaining it regularly to ensure safe operations. I am not comfortable because there are also other problems with the runway.
“Its (runway) is short, it needs to be extended. We recognise the efforts by the Federal Government by closing down the market beside the airport.
“Also people have built within the premises of the airport on the safety area of the airport, and that ought not to be on the land belonging to Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). “Whoever is the next minister will contend with that, because this is safety. Enugu Airport will be dear to the next minister.
That is my personal opinion. We are very jealous of that city and the airport.”
On the establishment of a national carrier, he said: “Should President Muhammadu Buhari still think that I go transportation, I will continue with that good job. It is good for the future and fortune of Nigerians. One aeroplane is equal to 300 direct jobs. This is a priority that should be taken.” -
El-Zakzaky: Shiites release names of members killed, accuse Police of ‘holding 15 corpses’
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly known as Shiites, has said security agencies are working hard to portray the sect as a terrorist organization.
IMN in a press statement on Wednesday, signed by Sheikh Abdulhamid Bello noted that Buhari’s administration is bent on using all the force at its disposal, in stopping their march for the demand of justice and release of their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky.
“However it seems some hawks in the Buhari administration are bent on using all the force at their disposal, in stopping our march for the demand of justice. For their information forceful means have never been a solution to any social demand for justice like our own,” he said.
Sheikh Abdulhamid Bello added that the IMN wants a peaceful resolution of the crisis that has kept Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky in detention since 2015.
He urged the international community and well-meaning Nigerians to mount pressure on the federal government to release their leader, “who is in dire need of urgent medical attention abroad.”
He also revealed that fifteen corpses of its members are being held by the Nigerian police. “Yesterday we were able to conduct the Islamic funeral prayers on six of those known to us killed by the police.
We firmly believe the police force is holding unto 15 corpses of the supporters of the Islamic Movement it killed on Monday.
Those buried yesterday are: 1. Harisu Ibrahim Magaji from Darazo, Bauchi state. 2. Husaini Yahya Barwa from Soba, Kaduna state. 3. Ali Haidar Ibrahim Sulaiman from Toro, Bauchi state. 4. Dahiru Dogo from Kaduna, Kaduna state. 5. Batula Muhammad from Suleja, Niger state. 6. Abubakar Isma’il from Yola, Adamawa state,” he said, adding that “As of now, 15 seriously injured people, some of whom we took to Abuja University teaching hospital Gwagwalada, but the police snatched them by force on Monday 22/07/19 are languishing in the detention Centre of SARS, in Abbatoir Abuja, without any medical care. Among them are five women needing urgent medical attention.
There is a ten year old boy in the detention facility, even though he has a bullet wound on his leg.
In fact we learnt that two of the injured died yesterday because of their injuries. We demand that the authorities of SARS give us access to the wounded, so that we can attend to their medical needs.
“Yesterday 23/07/19, we gathered at Banex Plaza to once again continue with our peaceful procession demanding the freedom of our Leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, but a joint task force of security agents stormed the place in combat gear.
They fired tear gas and live ammunition resulting in injuries to a lot of our supporters, with one unconfirmed report saying one person died of his injuries.” -
Bloody Protests: Rowdy session as reps debate Shiites leader's release
From Jonas Ike, Abuja
The 360 Members of the House of Representatives were on Tuesday divided on the propriety and otherwise of the release of the Leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria also known as Shiites Sheik Ibrahim Elzakzaky.This followed the rejection of a motion by Hon. Shamsudden Bello representing Sumaila/Taka Federal Constituency of Kano State on the matter on the floor of the House by the lawmakers.Bello while debating the motion noted that with concerns the act of terrorism on Monday July 22, 2019 by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shiites) within the Federal Capital Territory FCT that destabilized political, constitutional, economic and social structures or the Federal Republic of Nigeria on Monday.He further noted that several other dates before now, members if Shiite have done and threatened to do an act preparatory to and or in furtherance of an act of terrorism including destroying of public utilities and attack on security personnel.He pointed out that this act seriously intimidates the population of Abuja as well as it’s environment ns and also damages or intends to damage the corporate existence of Nigeria as a nation.He added that there is need to direct the Inspector-General General of Police IGP Mohammed Adamu to initiate the proscription of the INM and declare their existence unlawful in Nigeria.He said: “the continuous violent protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (Shiites) negates the corporate existence of Nigeria”.The lawmaker therefore urged the House to constitute and Ad-hoc Committee to Investigate the matter and added that it should offet appropriate measures to address this menace in one week.Other lawmaker notably Hon. Adeniyi Olajide (Oyo, PDP), Hon.Oniofon Luke (Akwa-Ibom, PDP) and Hon Francis Agbo (Benue, PDP) also spoke in support of the motion notice the existence of the Shiites is exacerbating the problem of insecurity in Nigeria.Oniofon amended the motion to the effect that the House leadership should invite the Security Chiefs to interface with them with a view to addressing the issue.Consequently, the Speaker Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila put the matter to a voice vote and the lawmakers voted against it.The House immediately went rowdy as those calling on the Federal Government to release the Islamic leader rejected it.Gbajabiamila however asked that the House should divide into two groups of pro and anti lawmakers against the motion.On this premise, the House immediately dissolved into an 1/2 hour executive session of the lawmakers to address this lingering security issue. -
El-Zakzaky: Group condemns arson, attack on innocent citizens by IMN members
The PDP Rebirth Mandate, has condemned in its entirety the arson and attacks on innocent Nigerians by members of the Ibrahim El-Zakzaky-led Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN.
The group was reacting to the Monday’s attack by the Shiite militants on emergency point of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA and innocent citizens leading to deaths.
Reacting to the incident, PDP Rebirth Mandate frowned at the attack, while warning members of the opposition party against sponsoring or participating in the protest by the violent group.
Charles Ukaha, President of the group, who addressed newsmen, called IMN to immediately stop its campaign of violent clashes with the Nigerian public while also halting attacks on law enforcement officers.
Full text of his speech below.
Gentlemen of the press, on Monday July 22, 2019 members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) again launched terror attacks against the Nigerian state. As was the case in the recent past, the target of the attack was the National Assembly before security operatives managed to contain them to the Federal Secretariat axis.
Nigerians who were peacefully going about their own legitimate businesses were forced to flee as shot were being fired. Security operatives and paramilitary personnel in the vicinity were seen fleeing with civilians owing to an extant directive not to engage the members. This decision to retreat is highly logical given the casualty recently suffered on their part when IMN members invaded the National Assembly and randomly targeted policemen in a gun attack that resulted in the loss of life and some policemen left with life changing injuries.
The IMN members, similar to what they did in the past, set ablaze a vehicle belonging the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and vandalized vehicles belonging to other Nigerians. We have not arrived at a point where people take to their heels at the mention of IMN. It all echoes the early days of Boko Haram too clearly and it is not a nightmare that any right thinking Nigerian wants to live through again. This is especially so when some representatives of the group have been reported that they have the capacity to blow up the entire Abuja.
The PDP Rebirth Mandate is taking this unprecedented decision to wade into the situation given the reports that have been carried in some quarters that politicians from PDP are the ones sponsoring these attacks on the corporate entity of Nigeria and the wellbeing of millions of Nigerians. Our party has been called names of all sorts because some misguided members that do not know the dangers of supporting a group like IMN or who do not appreciate the full extent of threat it poses to Nigerians. We believe that our stance at this press conference will be instructive as to whether we approve of IMN’s terrorist acts or not.
Nigeria is more important than the political, economic or religious ambition of any individual or group, which is why we believe that the IMN should get all the condemnation it is deserving for its actions against the Nigerian state, irrespective of what the provocation was initially. Assuming their grouse against the nation or government of the day were legitimate pursuing justice with violence and injustice will only further complicate things.
We therefore call on IMN to immediately stop its campaign of violent clashes with the Nigerian public while also halting attacks on law enforcement officers, who have till date demonstrated remarkable restraints in the face of the baiting done by IMN members. If there is still a leadership structure in place within organization, we urge them to restrain their members and call them off the streets of Abuja and other Nigerian cities to which they have deployed.
IMN, its leadership and members, know that the ongoing campaign of terror against the Nigerian state can no longer be considered a mere case of civil disobedience. It now, in view of recent incidents, qualify as a full scale insurrection against the country. The group’s history of disavowal of the Nigerian state will therefore create conditions that warrant stronger responses from the state in order to guarantee the safety and security of other citizens.
We appeal to those sponsoring the IMN protests, whether within or outside our great party, the PDP to desist from using politics as a decoy to disguise the sick portion of their mind that enjoys terrorism. It is wrong for anyone to think that the best way of getting at the government of the day or political rival is to support terrorists and extremists. It is a strategy that has time and again proven to be laden with ugly backlash that consumes not just the intended target but also the person deploying it.
Our group condemn those that had thrown decorum to the wind by verbally supporting IMN through statements, press briefings and social media posts that have encouraged its members to continue this misguided insurrections against the country. These members of the PDP that have done this are uncharitable elements that must be dealt with immediately because they are a liability to our great party.
We therefore call on all PDP party members at all levels to stop participating in IMN protests irrespective of who gave the directive to take part or how much mobilization was provided. We further direct that no member of the PDP should issue statements, address conferences, write opinion articles or make social media posts in official capacity to support IMN or even marginally condone the crime they are committing. Those that have been engaged in this kind of activities in support of IMN are enemies of the PDP, who also do not mean well for our dear country.
The PDP Rebirth Mandate will be closely monitoring compliance with these directive and shall make repercussions costly for any party member or official that goes out of line to pitch tents with terrorists to the detriment of the country.
We like to emphasize that this tough stance against terrorism was borne out the need to ensure that a prosperous Federal Republic of Nigeria remains in existence by the time the PDP becomes ready to reassume its role as Nigeria’s foremost ruling party. -
Bloody Protests: Let Court decide El-Zakzaky’s fate, Presidency tells Shi’ite members
The Presidency has appealed to El-Zakzaky-led Shiite members to desist from needless violent, street protests and await the decision of the court in Kaduna where their leader is currently being tried.
According to a statement by presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Friday, the issue of El-ZakZaky is before the court in Kaduna and his supporters should focus on his ongoing trial instead of causing daily damages, disruptions and public nuisance in Abuja.
“It is wrong to be in court and resort to violence at the same time in order to get justice for anybody accused.
“The destruction of public property in the name of protest is not within the right of this group of Shiite members.
“And no government anywhere would have tolerated a situation where any group would take over public roads in cities as they have done in Abuja and interfere with the rights of other citizens who are prevented from reaching their destinations.
“We imagine a situation where families are taking their loved ones to hospital for emergency treatment and they are held up needlessly by the protesters. No government anywhere in the world would turn a blind eye to this unlawful behavior,’’ he added.
Shehu maintained that the case involving El-zakzaky was no longer in government domain, stressing that the federal government no more has hands in the matter.
“As far as this country’s Ministry of Justice is concerned, the case involving El-Zakzaky is no longer in its domain.
“The Federal Government no more has hands in the matter and to that extent, the government at the centre can be said to be clear of any alleged violations of court orders as being trumpeted everyday.
“These rallies and street dances ostensibly to openly insult the President and other leaders, threatening bloodshed will lead nowhere because President Buhari will not ask the country’s judiciary to abandon due process and set a suspect free,’’ he said.
Shehu stated that the Buhari administration was determined to enforce the decision of the court clearly issued.
According to the presidential aide, the administration has absolutely no hand in the ongoing court case and the courts are free to determine the bail request and the final outcome.
“The mentality that you are above the law and that your own rights are superior to other people’s rights is unacceptable.
“You can’t be provoking other citizens by interfering with their own rights on public roads and disrupting their businesses and call it democratic freedom. In democratic traditions, their rights end where the rights of others begin.
“Law abiding citizens must avoid deliberate lawlessness. It is not within the rights of any group to enter protected public institutions such as the National Assembly by force to attack police and destroy public and private property,’’ he said.
Shehu advised all citizens to embrace dialogue and eschew violence in all their actions to promote peacefully coexistence among the diverse ethno-religious groups in the country.
“We therefore appeal to the Shiite group to stop deliberate provocations that result in violence and fatalities and allow the trial of El-ZakZaky to take its course,’’ he maintained. -
Court adjourns El-Zazaky’s application for medical attention to July 29
Justice Darius Khobo of Kaduna State High Court, on Thursday, adjourned hearing in the application for permission to travel to India for medical attention filed by Ibrahim El-Zazaky and his wife, Zinat, to July 29.The Islamic Movement of Nigeria leader and his wife applied to the court seeking to travel, following poor health while in detention.The State Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Dari Bayero, who briefed newsmen, shortly after the hearing, said the adjournment was sequel to an application by the team of Counsel prosecuting the IMN leader.He said that the team requested for time to examine the medical reports that accompanied IMN leader’s application and authenticate its genuiness before putting up their argument before the court.Justice Khobo granted the request and adjourned till July 29, to give time to the state counsel who are prosecuting the substantive suit against the IMN leader and his wife Zinat.The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the IMN leader brought the application before the court seeking permission to travel to Medanta Hospital, New Delhi, India for medical attention following his failing health condition.El-Zazaky in the application said he and his wife would return to Nigeria as soon as they are discharged.The IMN leader is standing trial over allegations of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of public peace among other charges in another court.Justice Gideon Kurada, who was handling the case, on April 25 adjourned the trial of the IMN leader indefinitely.
The indefinite adjournment was to enable the judge serve on the panel of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Yobe.
Before the indefinite adjournment, the court had on Jan. 22, ordered the Kaduna State Government to avail the IMN leader and his wife Zinat, access to medical care.
Femi Falana (SAN), the lead counsel to the IMN leader also told newsmen after Thursday’s adjournment that his clients, El-Zakzaky and wife Zinat, were in dire need of medical attention.
Falana said that his clients had not been given adequate medical care since their detention on Dec. 14, 2015.
He expressed concern over the continued detoriation of his clients health.
He, howver, said he was opstimistic that at the resumed hearing of the applicatiin on July 29, the Court would grant them the permission to travel for urgent medical care. -
Court to hear El-Zakzaky’s application to travel abroad on July 18
A Kaduna State High Court will on Thursday hear the application of the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zazaky and wife, Zinat, seeking to travel to India for medical attention.The IMN leader is standing trial over allegations of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of public peace among other charges.The State Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Dari Bayero told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kaduna that the case would resume on Thursday.Bayero said the IMN leader brought the application seeking permission to travel to Metanta Hospital, New Delhi, India and return to Nigeria for continuation of the trial as soon as they are discharged.Bayero said that Justice D.H Khobo would preside over the hearing on the application on July 18.NAN recalls that Justice Gideon Kurada, who was handling the case, on April 25 adjourned the trial of the IMN leader indefinitely.The indefinite adjournment was to enable the judge serve on the panel of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Yobe.Femi Falana (SAN), the lead counsel to the defendants had told newmen after the adjournment that his clients, El-Zakzaky and wife Zinat, were in dire need of medical attention, the reason why they could not appear in court at the time.Falana had said that his clients had not been given adequate medical care since their detention on Dec. 14, 2015.Before the indefinite adjournment, the court had on Tuesday, Jan. 22, ordered the Kaduna State Government to avail the IMN leader and his wife Zinat, access to medical care. -
Nigeria will face fresh bloody insurgency if El-Zakzaky dies in your custody, Falana warns Buhari
Femi Falana, Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist has sounded a note of warning to the Buhari government on the implications of detaining Shiite leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, despite court orders for his release.
The legal luminary said the nation risks another insurgency, should El Zakzaky die in detention, just like it happened with Boko Haram after the leader, Mohammed Yusuf was killed by Nigerian policemen, while in detention in Maiduguri in 2009.
“El-Zakzaky must not be allowed to die due to medical neglect as it may provoke a crisis of monumental proportions. Therefore, the federal government should implement the unanimous resolution of the House of Representatives for the release of El-Zakzaky and his wife without any further delay”, Falana warned in a lengthy statement on Tuesday.
He warned the Federal Government of Nigeria against its violent approach to handling members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria who are protesting the detention of their leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, despite numerous court orders for his release.
Falana expressed concerns over the method the Federal Government had adopted in a statement on Tuesday. The legal luminary said the continuous detention of El-Zakzaky and killing of peaceful Shiite protesters by security forces could lead the country into another bloody war that it could not afford.
“This nation cannot afford another war of insurgency which is being provoked by the contemptuous conduct of the Federal Government in the handling of the case of the El-Zakzakys,” Falana said.
Speaking on the arrest and detention of El-Zakzaky and his wife Malama Zeinab on December 12, 2015, Falana said over 1,000 Shiites were reportedly massacred by soldiers on the orders of the Nigerian Army high command and given mass burial in an unmarked grave in Mango village, Kaduna State over allegations of attempt to assassinate Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.
“Even though the leader of the Shiites, Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, was not at the scene of the attack, his residence was invaded by the rampaging troops two days later. The troops set the house ablaze, shot at El-Zakzaky and his wife, Malama Zeinab El-Zakzaky and killed three of their sons in cold blood in their presence. As if such barbaric assault was not enough, the army arrested and held El-Zakzaky and his wife in custody before handing them over to the Department of State Services. At that stage, the houses of El-Zakzaky and other leaders in Zaria were demolished by the Kaduna state government on the orders of Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
“After the massacre of the Shiites and the demolition of the houses of their leaders, the Kaduna state government instituted a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the violent attack.
“The detained El-Zakzaky was prevented from responding to the allegations made against him and his group at the inquiry. But the judicial commission found that there was no plan by the Shiites to assassinate General Buratai. It was also revealed at the panel that the 347 Shiites were massacred by the army in violations of the Army Rules of Engagement and the Geneva Conventions.
“Apart from condemning the brutal massacre of the Shiites, the judicial commission recommended that the culprits be prosecuted.
“Instead of implementing the recommendation by prosecuting the well-known murderers the Kaduna state government turned round to charge over 300 Shiites with the culpable homicide of a soldier who was killed by his colleagues during the attack. But the defence team convinced the Kaduna state high court to free the Shiites as they were not involved in the commission of the offence.
“Accordingly, the charge was dismissed for want of evidence while the trial court proceeded to discharge and acquit all the defendants. Meanwhile, the suit challenging the illegal detention of El-Zakzaky and his wife was decided in their favour by the federal high court on December 2, 2016.
“The presiding judge, Kolawole J. (as he then was) directed the Federal Government to release the couple from unlawful custody, pay them N50 million reparation and provide them with a temporary house since the army had burnt down their residence. But the Buhari regime has characteristically treated the court orders with arrogant contempt.
Curiously, the Court of Appeal has refused to hear the application to commit the Director-General of the State Security Service for contempt of court! Upon our legal advice, the Shiites approached three separate high courts to challenge the violation of their right to assemble and protect peacefully.”
He added that despite the orderly nature in which the Shiites had conducted themselves, the Federal Government, through the army, was operating with impunity to disrupt the group’s peaceful protests.
“The Shiites won the cases against the Federal Government as the courts upheld their fundamental rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly. But out of sheer impunity, the army has killed about 50 Shiites at Abuja for protesting against the continued detention of El-Zakzaky and his wife.
“As the federal government could no longer justify the illegal detention of El-Zakzaky and his wife it directed the Kaduna state government to file a charge against them. Hence, they have been charged with culpable homicide at the Kaduna state high court for the death of the same soldiers.
“Pending the trial, the team of local and international physicians who examined El-Zakzaky and his wife on the orders of the trial court confirmed that their health has deteriorated and recommended that they are allowed to travel abroad for urgent medical treatment. In particular, El-Zakzaky has lost an eye while he is the process of losing the other one.
“The wife can no longer walk as a result of the gun wounds inflicted on her during the military attack of December 2015. Without adducing any reason whatsoever the federal government has ignored the recommendation of the physicians.
“The Shiites are currently protesting the refusal of the Buhari regime to release El-Zakzaky and his wife from custody to enable them to travel abroad to receive urgent medical treatment at their own expense.
“El-Zakzaky must not be allowed to die due to medical neglect as it may provoke a crisis of monumental proportions. Therefore, the federal government should implement the unanimous resolution of the House of Representatives for the release of El-Zakzaky and his wife without any further delay.
“Finally, it would be recalled that the Boko Haram sect declared war on the people of Nigeria in 2009 following the cold murder of its leader, Mohammed Yusuf by the Police. Since then the nation has known no peace. This nation cannot afford another war of insurgency which is being provoked by the contemptuous conduct of the federal government in the handling of the case of the El-Zakzaky.” -
21 million of us ready to sacrifice our lives for El-zakzaky's freedom – Shiites
The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, also known as Shi’ites have vowed to lay down the lives of its members who are more down 21 million if the Federal Government failed to release its leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
Shi’ites said this while staging its protest in Ikeja, Lagos State on Thursday.
Members of the group chanted several songs, demanding that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration should respect court orders and release El-Zakzaky.
Addressing journalists during the protest, the South-West Coordinator of IMN, Mr. Muftau Zakariya, called on the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Bola Tinubu, to prevail on Buhari to release it’s leader.
According to Zakariya, the group would not desist from protest until Buhari released El-Zakzaky.
He said: “We are ready to die if our leader is not released. If they are ready to kill us, we have 21 million lives to offer. I know that Nigerian soldiers do not have 21 million bullets to shoot at us.
“It’s true that there are 21 million Shi’ites in Nigeria, and if they kill our leader, which country will they have to rule by 2023.
“Buhari got to the office because the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, assisted him. It was Tinubu that started the movement and spent his money to ensure that the party assumes power. We’re calling on Tinubu, to talk to the President, who is a member of his party to free our leader. If he allows the President to continue to kill our members, there will not be Nigeria in 2023. We’re not happy over the continued detention of our leader.”
This is coming barely 48-hours after members of the groups invaded the National Assembly and forcibly took over the complex and injured six policemen in the process.
The protesters were said to have overpowered security men at the popular Mopol (Mobile Policemen) gate and entered the second gate.
Soon after they entered, the Shi’ites members started vandalizing vehicles that were either coming or going out of the National Assembly. The mayhem forced workers and visitors to scamper for safety.