Tag: el-zakzaky

NASS Invasion: Release El-Zakzaky now, Sagay advises Buhari

Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay has frowned at the continued detention of the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, by the Department of State Services (DSS).
Zakzaky is being held by the DSS since December 2015 while facing charges for culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, and disruption of public peace.
The members of the movement had invaded the National Assembly to demand the lawmakers’ intervention in the release of their leader.
During ensuing confrontations with security agents, several vehicles were damaged while five policemen were injured.
Numbers of suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.
Speaking with Daily Independent, Sagay advised the Federal Government to obey court orders and release El-Zakzaky on bail instead of detaining him perpetually without trial.
“I have already expressed this opinion almost a year ago that in the absence of anything that I know, apart from the fact that everybody is aware of, I think the best option is to release him, even if it is on bail.
“That is better instead of keeping him there and using him as an attraction for these gatherings that are disrupting everywhere and creating a level of anger and emotions that can upset the society and create unnecessary tension.
“Except if there is something we don’t know, I really don’t see why he is being kept for all these years. That is my sincere view,” he said.

July 12, 2019
IMN: Anti-terrorism coalition takes protest to UN House, wants El-Zakzaky, Iran sanctioned for terrorism

Protesters on Tuesday stormed the United Nations office in Abuja in protest against the alleged alliance between Iranian government and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, INM.

Report had it during the weekend that the El-Zakzaky-led group was getting support from Islamic Republic of Iran to carryout terrorism across Nigeria.

The protest, organised by members of the Agenda for Terrorism-Free Nigeria (ATFN) called on UN to sanction Iran and El-Zakzaky for terrorism.

Danesi Momoh Prince, Convener, while speaking during the protest, urged the United Nations to call the Islamic Republic of Iran to order to desist from sponsoring instability against Nigeria.

His speech below.

The Agenda for Terrorism Free Nigeria (ATFN) found it pertinent to lead this protest march here, to the United Nations (UN) Offices in Nigeria today because of our firm belief that somewhere in the in the chaos that some state sponsors of terrorism are attempting to impose on the world there is order. That order is embodied by the UN, which through its organs is able to prevail on erring country to show respect, not just for the future and safety of the human race but also for the sovereignty of other nations, which is the recipe for peace and the assurance that nations do not embark on mutually guaranteed self-destruction.

From the demographics of those taking part in this march against importation of terrorism and extremism into Nigeria, it is apparent that we comprise of various groups. Many of us had in the past raised alarms about the activities of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Nigeria as manifested by its puppet group, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN). This is a group that has become the new face of Iranian sponsorship of terrorism abroad.

A further disclaimer we will make from the onset is that our organizations acknowledge and fully commit to Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted by the UN in 1966. Article 18 clearly states that:

1. Everyone shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. This right shall include freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice, and freedom, either individually or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in worship, observance, practice and teaching. 2. No one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice. 3. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others. 4. The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to have respect for the liberty of parents and, when applicable, legal guardians to ensure the religious and moral education of their children in conformity with their own convictions.

We therefore affirm that our protest today is not in any way construed to deny Iran and IMN members the right to subscribe to the Shia brand of Islam. We state this clearly because of the misconception that they have come to make the world believe that they are victims of persecution because of their faith, which is not the truth. The reality is that IMN as Iran’s proxy in Nigeria is denying others not just the rights guaranteed in Article 18 but other liberties that the world had agreed to accord humans across the planet. They deprive others of their lives.

Whatever crimes IMN had committed on behalf of Iran in the past have now paled in comparison to the latest coup they plotted against Nigeria. Trying to re-enact the Iranian Revolution of 1979, which transited that country into an Islamic Republic, IMN members on April 24, 2019 forcefully invaded the National Assembly of Nigeria with a view to overthrowing the parliament. It is no coincidence that this happened 40 years from the Iranian Revolution and about in as many years since the IMN leader, Mr. Ibrahim el-Zakyzaky, was first indoctrinated by that country.

This invasion is an affront on the rights of other Nigerians who have no desire to see their parliament overthrown by fanatics and replaced with a sectarian conclave because this was exactly what the IMN members reportedly have in mind even though they hid their attack behind claims that they were agitating for the release of their leader.

It is well known that Nigeria is presently battling Boko Haram terrorists, who sadly have foreign components that are yet to be diffused till date. It is unacceptable for Iran to add another terrorist organization to the list of foreign sponsored criminality that citizens now have to endure.

Concerns had been expressed in the past about how IMN is the Iranian vehicle for radicalizing youths to rise against and undermine the Nigerian state. The radicalized extremists seems to have now received their marching order to openly attack the state in an attempt to cause mayhem in the country. We consequently hold Iran accountable for any breach in security caused by its IMN extremists.

We wish to put the UN on notice that we shall be prevailing on the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to activate Article 18 with particular emphasis on the provision that states that “3. Freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs may be subject only to such limitations as are prescribed by law and are necessary to protect public safety, order, health, or morals or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.”

Nigeria faces critical life threatening security breaches from IMN and Iran. It is necessary to protect other citizens from the dangerous activities of the group in order to ensure that Iran does not get away with replacing Nigeria’s secularism with its own brand of theocracy, which is unacceptable in a pluralistic society that our own country is.

We are therefore calling on the United Nations to call the Islamic Republic of Iran to order, it should be given a clear directive to desist from sponsoring instability against Nigeria. The United Nations should also explain to members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria that rights come with responsibility and the freedom of religious belief must not be confused with freedom to engage in lawless acts. They must both stop indoctrinating, radicalizing and inciting youths to become terrorists.

We conclude by telling the world that Nigeria is not helpless in dealing with the menace of IMN even when backed by Iran. There are laws and international instruments that clearly criminalize the extremist and fanaticism that they are propagating. We will demand that the government act in this wise.

April 30, 2019
JUST IN: Shiites members storm Abuja, demand immediate release of El-Zakzaky, wife [Video]

Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, popularly called Shiites on Thursday protested at the ECOWAS building along Yakubu Gowon Crescent in the Asokoro area of Abuja demanding the immediate release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2015.

After making their grievances known to the officials, the aggrieved Shiites in their hundreds including men and women proceeded on a peaceful procession along the AYA axis calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to obey court orders and set the embattled El-Zakzaky and his wife free to seek urgent medical attention.

“We reiterate our call for the government to free Sheikh Zakzaky to enable him seek medical treatment abroad,” a man who appears to be their leader told TNG reporter at the scene of the protest.

Recall that El-Zakzaky’s lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN) had secured the yet-to-be-obeyed December 2, 2016 judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja which ordered the release of El-Zakzaky, and his wife Zeinab, from the custody of the Department of State Service.

El-Zakzaky and his wife have been detained by the DSS since December 2015

March 14, 2019
Lai Mohammed lied; El-Zakzaky caters for himself, wife in DSS custody – Shi’ites

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, has said that its leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky caters for himself and buys his domestic needs despite being in the custody of the Department of States Service, DSS.

The group made the assertion in reaction to claim by the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, that the Federal Government spends N3.5m monthly to feed El-Zakzaky.

President, Media Forum of IMN, Ibrahim Musa, in a statement issued on Friday to journalists in Abuja said Mohammed’s claim was not true, adding that no such amount was spent on their leader.

According to the group, El-Zakzaky’s quality of feeding had even worsened since he was transferred to Kaduna from Abuja six months ago.

He said, “The Islamic Movement in Nigeria believes that this is part of the grand deception of this administration to present a ‘human face’ after it brutally slaughtered more than one thousand innocent and defenseless civilians in Zaria in December 2015.

“Let us also note that his (El-Zakzaky’s) 3 sons who were also in his residence were among those murdered in cold blood in his presence and buried in mass graves. The atrocity didn’t just stop at that. His residence was completely razed and later flattened.

“This same government had also told the world through the Federal High Court in Abuja that the Sheikh didn’t do anything wrong, but they shot him and the wife and all the atrocities was only to protect him. The Court was not convinced and so ordered that he should be set free. The government reneged.

“Now they lie to the world that they are ‘good’ to him. “Moreover when some members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria met the Sheikh early last month, among the things he complained of is the poor feeding he is facing since transferred to Kaduna six months ago.

“Considering his age and failing health he deserves some special feeding arrangements, but those holding him custody have denied him that.

“This clearly shows that some security officers are looting public funds under the guise of keeping the Sheikh under ‘protective custody’ which a federal high court in Abuja has since declared illegal under the constitution.

“Also the Minister’s claim which he said is ‘off the record’ clearly exposes the corruption in the DSS. This figure could be true in their records, but they actually use that to loot public funds in the name of feeding the Sheikh, while in reality the Sheikh is the one catering for himself and buying all his domestic needs.

“The N115,000 daily feeding claim by the Minister is similar to the case of Nigerian Prisons where the government claimed they spend N14,500:00 daily in feeding every individual prisoner in Nigeria. But a visit to the prison tells you that is all lies. The prisoner is malnourished and sick apart from living in congestion with absolutely zero hygiene.

“We consider the statement of the Minister of information as an insult to the personality of our leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky. We advise the Minister to desist from involving the Sheikh in his unfortunate lies and for once tell Nigerians the actual truth that the government does not spend such amount on Sheikh Zakzaky.

“We reiterate our call for the government to free Sheikh Zakzaky to enable him seek medical treatment abroad.”

November 9, 2018
[Video] Buhari’s government spends N3.5m monthly to feed el-Zakzaky in detention – Minister

The President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government has claimed that it spends N3.5m monthly to feed the detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibrahim el-Zakzaky.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, made the claim in a video that went viral on the internet on Thursday.

If the claim is correct, the government may have spent over N120m to feed the Islamic cleric since he was arrested and detained in December 2015 after his followers were engaged in a bloody clash with the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Mohammed, who was apparently addressing reporters, was heard saying in the video that he was giving the journalists the information on an off-the-record basis to serve as a background to their reports.

The video which was uploaded on YouTube on Weednesday had the watermark of an online television station, OakTV.

The video has “Finally, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, opens up on El-Zakzaky, Shiites” as its title.

Mohammed, in the video, said it was wrong to liken what was happening to el-Zakzaky, whose followers have been engaging security agents in confrontation since his incarceration, to what happened to the late leader of Boko Haram, Yusuf.

He said the IMN leader was undergoing criminal prosecution in Kaduna State and the court had denied him bail.

The minister explained that instead of detaining him in a prison, the Federal Government decided to hold el-Zakzaky in a building belonging to the Department of State Services.

He said the Islamic cleric ate whatever he liked in detention.

“It costs the government about N3.5m every month to feed him,” the minister declared.

When he noticed that reporters murmured, Mohammed explained to them that he got the figure from the relevant government agencies upon enquiry.

At that point, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, who was apparently briefing journalists alongside Mohammed, jokingly told him (Mohammed) that he (Amaechi) too was willing to be taken into custody.

Justifying why he volunteered the information on an off-the-record basis, the minister described the issue involving the IMN as a “sensitive” one.

“So, please, we don’t want to inflame passion. The issue is a very sensitive matter. But that is the situation,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the television station has apologised to the minister for making the video public despite the off-the-record agreement he had with the journalists.

In an apology letter addressed to the minister and dated November 8, the management of the TV station said the video was released in error.

It claimed that all those involved in the error have been sanctioned.

The letter reads, “On Wednesday, November 7, 2018, OakTV made some error (sic) in its reporting regarding a conversation with the Minister of Information.

“This is an error which we regret. All team members involved have been sanctioned, and we would do more to tighten our gate-keeping responsibilities.

“We apologise and regret any embarrassment this might have caused the minister.

“Please, be assured of our highest esteem and regards.”

Recall that El-Zakzaky was initially held for about two years alongside his wife, Zinat, without trial.

After much public outcry, he was charged before a Kaduna court for alleged conspiracy and abating culpable homicide.

November 8, 2018
Court denies El-Zakzaky, wife bail

A Kaduna State High Court on Wednesday denied the bail application filed by counsel to the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Gideon Kurada in his ruling said the accused persons have not shown any substantial medical evidence to grant them bail in their written application, reports Channels Television.

The judge, however, ordered that the two accused persons should remain in the custody of the Department of State Services throughout the period of their trial.

November 7, 2018
El-Zakzaky: I-G puts Commissioners of Police on red alert

The Inspector- General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris has placed all Commissioners of Police on red alert over the activities of members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).
A statement by the Police Force spokesman, acting DCP Jimoh Moshood on Tuesday in Abuja, said that the commissioners, especially those facing likely threats by the Shiites, to deal with them decisively in accordance with the law.
“They are to deal decisively in accordance with the law with the sect and prevent the group from causing breakdown of law and order in those States,” he said.
Moshood said that the I-G had directed a thorough investigation and prosecution of the 400 members of the sect arrested by the police in Abuja on Tuesday over alleged violent protest.
The spokesman said that the suspects would be charged to court for terrorism.
He also said that the I-G condemned the attack on police personnel and the setting ablaze of police vehicle, allegedly by the Shiites, warning that the police would not condone lawlessness and disturbance of public peace by any group.
“The full weight of the law will be applied on perpetrators of violence and lawlessness that can lead to breach of the peace, and law and order anywhere in the country,” he added.
He implored residents of FCT and other contiguous States to to be vigilant and go about their lawful engagements without fear.

October 31, 2018
Court adjourns ruling on El-Zakzaky’s bail application, as protesters lock down Justice Ministry in Abuja

A Kaduna High Court on Thursday fixed November 7 for ruling on the bail application filed by the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zinat.
Justice Gideon Kurada adjourned the matter after the prosecution counsel, Dari Bayero, complained of lack of adequate security in Kaduna town.
The prosecution explained that the security agencies had drafted personnel to strategic areas of the state to provide security for the visit of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, to Kaduna State.
Kurada therefore adjourned the case to November 7, to rule on the bail application.
Both the defence and prosecution counsel later told journalists that the heads of security agencies in the state had complained of their inability to draft adequate personnel to provide security at the court B
Bayero told reporters that the 3rd and 4th defendants, Yakubu Yahaya and Sanusi Abdulqadir, standing trial with the Shiites leader, were yet to be arrested.
It would be recalled that the 3rd and 4th defendants were served court summons through substituted services in publications in the Daily Trust and The Nation newspapers.
Recall that the Kaduna State Government had brought an eight-count charge against the IMN leader, his wife and the two other IMN leaders based in Katsina and Kano.
The IMN leader, his wife, Yahaya and Abdulqadir were charged with alleged conspiracy and abating culpable homicide, among other related offences.
Meanwhile hundreds of Shiites on Thursday locked down the Federal Ministry of Justice as they rallied again to demand the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, currently in the custody of the federal government.
The protest started from the federal secretariat and ended at the ministry.
According to the group’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Muhammad, the action was taken since “our leader would not be released to us”.
Muhammad said “today at a Kaduna High court, the ruling on the bail application of our leader was again adjourned to November 7.
“This is inhumane, the government keeps telling us they are protecting Zakzaky and keep coming up with excuses. We his followers are tired, and we want the minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, to do the needful by releasing our leader.”
Muhammad said the prosecution counsel, Dari Bayero, complained of lack of adequate security in Kaduna town and this made the judge, Gideon Kurada to adjourn the matter.
“The prosecution explained that the security agencies had drafted personnel to strategic areas of the state to provide security for the visit of the Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo, to Kaduna State.”

October 4, 2018
Heavy security presence in Kaduna as court adjourns el-Zakzaky’s case

There was confusion in some parts of Kaduna on Wednesday as the Police and other security operatives barricaded all roads leading to Ahmadu Bello Way in the state capital.

This followed the arraignment of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria(Shi’ite), Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky and wife, Zeena, in a Kaduna High Court on Wednesday.

The development forced residents who had business to transact at the city centre to retreat home for fear of attack.

There were social media messages which circulated on Tuesday of a possible attack by the Shi’ites over the arraignment of their leader.

However, the Police in a terse statement warned residents to be on the alert and reminded them that the ban on procession and demonstration was still in force.

But the Shi’ites denied any planned attack on the people of the state, noting that it was a plot by the Nigeria Police Force to smear its image.

Not taking chances, the Police and other security operatives barricaded the major road connecting the town from the Southern and Northern axis, eliciting fear among residents.

Stern-looking combat and regular policemen, operatives of the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps and other complimentary agencies took positions at strategic locations along the Ahmadu Bello Way.

Ahmadu Bello Way is the commercial hub of Kaduna State.

July 11, 2018
[Photo] Shiite leader, El-Zakzaky appears court, charged with murder

The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, on Tuesday, appeared before a Kaduna High Court over allegations of murder.

The appearance marks the first time the Shiite leader would be tried in public since his arrest and detention in December 2015.

The State Security Service, SSS, has held the Shiite leader in detention despite a court order ordering his release.

He was arrested following a clampdown on his supporters who blocked the army chief, Tukur Buratai, from using a public road.

Over 340 members of the Shiite group were killed by the soldiers in attacks condemned by local and international rights groups.

One soldier was also killed.

The Kaduna State Government is prosecuting El-Zakzaky for the death of the soldier.

It is for that trial that Mr El-Zakzaky was brought to court on Tuesday.

According to a report by Premium Times, El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenah, were brought to court at about 9:00 a.m.

They were said to have been brought into Kaduna the previous night from where he was kept.

Journalists and other members of the IMN that trooped to the court premises were barred from entering as the major road leading to the court was blocked off by armed security officers.

Counsel to El-Zakzaky, Maxwell Kyom said the cleric is being charged with unlawful gathering, criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide punishable with death.

Kyom said the case could not continue because two of the defendants were not in court.

According to him, an oral application was moved for the bail of the cleric and his wife. But the presiding judge, Gideon Kurada, asked him to put his application officially in writing.

The case was adjourned to June 21 by the presiding judge based on application by the prosecutor for them to properly file their statement of claim.

May 15, 2018