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Tag: El-Zakzaky

  • Group uncovers how Iran, IMN plan to terrorize Nigeria

    The Coalition for Nigeria, a civil society orgnaisation, said it has uncovered plots by Iran and the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) to terrorize Nigeria.
    The coalition claimed that Iran is discreetly breeding another terrorism sect in Nigeria through IMN extremists, saying that the group allegedly received over  $20 million donation recently from the country to fund terrorism activities in the country.
    Patriot Sabo Odeh, National convener of the coalition at a press conference on Saturday, said IMN is an affiliate of Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and should be declared a terrorist group.
    He, therefore, called on the Nigerian government and particularly, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice to expedite action on designating the IMN sect  a terrorist’s organization to finally lay to rest the tormenting “ghosts of these monsters and religious extremists.”
    Text of his speech below.
    Surely, we are germanely motivated to draw the attention of Nigerians and the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and the world at large to the solidified mutation and grooming of another terrorist’s sect in the country. It’s members have disguised under the canopy of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).
    3.      No one is in doubt that the Islamic Movement in Nigeria are affiliated to the Islamic State (ISIS), a dangerous terrorism group based in the Republic of Iran, with a knack for sponsoring terror sects in countries all over the world.  We must not forget that Nigeria has had a taste of their venomous swords in Boko Haram insurgency.
    IMN’s leaders from Sheik Ibraheem El Zakzaky to those at the lower rungs of leadership of this religious extremists or violent sect have never hidden its affiliation to ISIS and the Republic of Iran. All have boasted publicly and at different times of importing the Iranian Shia ideology into Nigeria and the West Africa sub-region.
    In recent times and with the lawful detention  of the Spiritual leader of IMN, Sheik El-Zakzaky, the sect members have engaged security agents in countless violent confrontations in Abuja or elsewhere under the pretext of protests over the detention of  their leader.  But the protests in all verifiable instances defile civic conventions of public protests.
    Therefore, we are aghast at the tolerance and continuous celebration of the glaring importation and practice of the Iranian religious extremism in Nigeria by the so called Shiites. It’s a serious potential threat to national security and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
    Unfortunately, the federal authorities are handling it with kid gloves.  Yet, the IMN members have been caught many times in possession of illegal fire arms and ammunitions while on the so-called public protests.  And the notoriety of the sect members has continued, unchecked, unabated and blossoming, in spite of the other subsisting and dire insecurity challenges facing Nigeria.
    Nigerians were again assailed by the impudently ferocious, cruel and crude exhibition of violence against the Nigerian state and security agents a few days back. The IMN sect members in hundreds of thousands sneaked into Abuja and besieged the gates of the National Assembly Complex in the guise of protests to commemorate the 68th birthday anniversary of IMN’s spiritual leader, El-Zakzaky.
    But as usual and consistent with the character of the IMN, the supposedly peaceful protests turned violent as they forcefully broke into the gates of the National Assembly complex, chanting   anti-government songs and “Alahu  Akbar.” They also   brandished dangerous weapons, compelling the Police sentinels to take to their heels to avoid another clash with the sect members.

    Read Also: ASUU, NANS and democratic imperative

     

    It is very clear to all discerning minds that El-Zakzaky is standing trial over alleged acts of terrorism which in the past resulted into mass murders, alongside other adherents of his sect in possession of illegal fire arms in quantities and sophistication only permissible in the hands of Nigerian security agents or state recognized agencies.

    We have no iota of doubt that the IMN  are operating a republic within a republic, which is insalubrious for the security and peace of law-abiding citizens. Therefore, the failure of the relevant federal authorities to tame this emerging terror sect in Nigeria at its embryonic stage has bolstered their courage to relentlessly harass  the state and security agents. Many Nigerians have met their untimely deaths in the hands of the IMN sect members.
    The Coalition for Nigeria is alarmed  and thunderstruck on why such a deviant  organization like IMN, outlawed by the Kaduna State Government  over two years ago  has been allowed to still exist without the proper designation of the group as a terrorist  sect by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
    The hesitance of the FGN  to declare IMN  a terrorists group is responsible for its sustained acts of threats to public security and safety. It has stretched to the extent it  is  now  ominous  that  the continues existence of the Nigerian state and its civilian populations are under threats by the nebulous and overt criminal actions of the sect members.
    We appraised the sequence of the IMN’s recent violent outings, and came to the painful conclusion that the group  in Nigeria plots  to  compound  Nigeria’s already daisy  security situation and that of the Wes African sub-region. It is steadily and covertly breeding a terror sect to replace Boko Haram.
    It is evident that the ISIS affiliated Boko Haram, which tormented Nigerians for years has been severely weakened by the Buhari Presidency. And an irked ISIS has gone underground to sponsor other terror sects in Nigeria. We gathered reliably that the IMN group  in Nigeria allegedly received over  $20 million donation recently from the Islamic Republic of Iran to fund  terrorism activities in Nigeria.
    Our findings revealed that ISIS’s experiment in Nigeria using IMN  is fashioned after the model used in the Sri Lanka bombings of Churches and hotels on April 21st, 2019, which killed over 320 people on Easter Sunday.
    In fact, media reports credited to the Sri Lanka authorities said, “the attackers were affiliated with a local terror group. The attackers were radical Muslims. Their motives were religious. Their targets were Christians. “And two days later, ISIS in a statement, claimed responsibility for the Sri Lankan suicide attacks on Christian populations.
    With the manner the IMN sect members are progressively becoming violent and the extent they have stockpiled arms and ammunitions, which they openly display each time they confront the Nigerian state, we fear a possible replication of the Sri Lankan scenario in our country. And lawful steps must be taken to curb the excesses of this sect.
    We dare say, the Nigerian Government particularly the AGF/Minister of Justice is senselessly romancing an emerging terror sect in the country.  This is unacceptable and condemnable.  IMN headquartered in Kaduna State has been outlawed. And logically, nobody has the legal right to operate under its banner anywhere in Nigeria as they constantly assemble to violently invade Abuja.  No new association of its ilk has been registered anywhere in the country.

     

  • Court rejects El-Zakzaky’s bail application

    A Kaduna State High Court yesterday rejected the bail application of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife.

    The bail application, which was premised on the cleric’s health condition, was turned down by the presiding judge, who said there were enough doctors around to take care of El-Zakzaky’s health needs, should the need arise.

    The State Prosecutor Dari Bayero addressed reporters after the proceedings.

    The court adjourned the matter till 22 January for what it called “speedy trial” of the Islamic cleric and three others.

    El-Zakzaky and the other accused are facing a five-count charge.

    The Islamic cleric pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    One of his lawyers, Haruna Magashi, told reporters that the counsel would study the court ruling on the bail application to determine the next line of action.

    Also, IMN’s Media Forum President Ibrahim Musa said: “We are disappointed with the court’s decision because it should have considered his failing health.

    “Secondly, it shows that the government is not ready to listen to us, well-meaning Nigerians and the international community that our leader should be set free, as ordered by another Federal High Court. Therefore, we will keep on with our protests in Abuja and other cities, in shaa Allah.”

    El-Zakzaky and his wife, Malama Zeenah Ibrahim, were brought to court in the morning amid tight security.

    The major routes to the court were barricaded with vehicles and other objects to restrict movement.

    The Islamic leader and his wife are to remain in custody till the next adjourned date.

     

  • Obduracy as bane statecraft

    While proverb is regarded as the palm oil with which words are eaten in Igbo land, according to Chinua Achebe; in Yoruba land, it could be said that onomatopoeia is chief device with which elders of yore coined their adages. Examples abound but just one would do here.

    Here: bu fun mi n bu fun o, ni opolo nke n nu odo. Those who understand Yoruba would immediately hear rendered here, the croaking of frogs in the pool. Literally, it suggests that frogs are wont to chant: do unto me as I do unto you. But the meaning is better captured in the onomatopoeic chants of these amphibious creatures.

    This may be a bit complex for non-speakers of the language but today is not about frogs and Yoruba rich word play. It’s actually about the paramount place of equity, rule of law, good sense and fairness in the sacred art of statecraft.

    It has been said that running a state or government is probably the nearest thing to playing God. The better a state is run the closer the state is the verisimilitude of the kingdom of God, it has also been said. And as frogs chant, deal unto me as I deal unto you, in fair and equal measures, so must always be the mindset of the managers of the affairs of any state.

    And this piece refers to the on-going agitation of the Shiites’ sect for the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky. In December, it will be three years Zakzaky has been detained in what government calls “protective detention”.

    Several courts have ruled in favor of the cleric’s release on bail while trial continues but the Federal Government seems to consider him too much a security risk. Courts have been blatantly disobeyed on this matter and disregarded even.

    Read also: El-Zakzaky: I-G puts Commissioners of Police on red alert

    But if the Shiites are considered to be propagating anarchy, the state cannot be seen to be matching them with an even more brazen anarchy. Government obdurately repudiating its courts and judicial processes is the worst kind of state failure; it’s the death of rule of law.

    The result is the wave of protests in the heart of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The protests are termed to be peaceful, and truly they bear no arms nor attack anyone but the capital city is shut down each time. This triggers anxiety among the populace and security agencies.

    The result has been bloody clashes leading to deaths. Yet they have vowed to continue until their leader is released. Let’s say obduracy is never a tool of statecraft. Different challenge, different solution. Dialogue, strategic engagements required here.

     

  • 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.

  • Secure clearance before procession, Police tells El-Zakzaky group

    The FCT Police Command has warned members of the El-Zakzaky Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) to write and secure clearance from the Police before embarking on any procession.

     

    The Police also assured FCT residents of adequate security following the proposed procession by the group, adding that security measures have been put in place to protect lives and property and to ensure free flow of vehicular movement in and out of FCT.

     

    The warning was contained in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by the Command Spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah.

     

    The statement reads: “Following trending social media messages that the El-Zakzaky Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) is planning a major procession into the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Police Command wishes to reassure members of the public that it has deployed both uniform and plain-clothe police operatives at strategic points to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the Federal Capital Territory.

     

    “Adequate security measures have also been put in place to protect lives and property and to ensure free flow of vehicular movement in and out of FCT.

    “The Command seizes this medium to address member of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria on the need to be law abiding, and ensure they write and secure the appropriate clearance before embarking on any form of procession in FCT.”

     

    The Command urged members of the public to feel free to go about their lawful activities.

     

  • El-Zakzaky’s trial adjourned till Aug 2

    A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Kaduna State has adjourned trial of leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN),Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat till August 2.

    The state government sued El-Zakzaky on an eight-count charge of alleged conspiracy, abating culpable homicide, among other related offences.

    Justice Gideon Kurada adjourned the matter to enable the prosecution serve the two other defendants.

    Lawyer to the first and second respondents, Maxwell Kyon, said the case was adjourned to enable the prosecutors serve two other accused persons joined in the case.

    Journalists and the public were barred from entering the court premises.

    After leaving the court room in a case which did not last more than 30 minutes, Kyon told reporters that: “The case has been adjourned till August 2 for further mention. But as at today, the two other defendants listed in the charge are yet to be served, and so the prosecution simply asked for another date to intensify efforts to serve them.

    “We hoped to file a bail application but unfortunately, we were served with a response to the application late yesterday. So we also asked for a short date to enable us respond to the counter affidavit that was served by the state.

    “What the court did today was to simply adjourn the matter till August 2.”

    Kyon, however, refused to mention the names of the other accused persons, saying “they are not necessarily part of the matter until they are served”.

    He said: “In a criminal matter, you cannot proceed until all the accused are served. That is part of the reason we have not made much progress, and since the matter was instituted, the third and fourth defendants have not been served.

    “The bail application could not be taken today because not withstanding that we filled a bail application over a month ago, the state only responded yesterday evening, so we asked for a short time to respond.”

    On the health of El-Zakzaky and wife, Kyon said: “The situation is apparent because sometime in January, he suffered a mild stroke. I am sure you know his eyes are also failing. The wife was shot in the Zaria incident and I can tell you that coupled with their age, their health cannot be said to be okay. It is part of the reasons why we are asking for bail.”

    Meanwhile, business activities were crippled around Kaduna metropolis; schools and banks around the city centre were shut for fear of crisis following El-Zakzaky’s trial.

    Activities around the Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Central Market were also on hold as all roads leading to the market were blocked by policemen.

    There was a heavy presence of security personnel at strategic locations, apparently to prevent a repeat of the crisis which erupted when the case came up about two weeks ago, when a policeman was killed.

  • Court picks August 2 for El-Zakzaky’s arraignment

    …as fear of ‘Shi’ites’ violence paralyses activities in Kaduna metropolis

     

    A Chief Magistrate court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned till August second a murder case brought before it by the Kaduna State Government against leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife, Malama Zeenatu Zakzaky.

    The case according to counsel to the first and second respondents, Barrister Maxwell Kyon was adjourned to enable the prosecutors serve two other accused persons joined in the case.

    Journalists and other members of the public were barred from gaining access to the court premises.
    Meanwhile, business activities were crippled around Kaduna metropolis, while schools and banks around the city center were closed for fear of breakdown of law and order.

    Activities around Sheikh Abubakar Gumi Central Markets were also brought to a halt, as all roads leading to the markets were blocked by policemen.

    Also, heavy presence of security personnel was observed at strategic locations, apparently to prevent a repeat of what happened when the case came up about two weeks ago, where a police inspector was killed.
    Meanwhile, after coming out of the case which did not last more than 30 minutes, the defence counsel, Maxwell Kyon told journalists that, “The case has been adjourned to August 2 for further mention. But as at today the other two defendants that are listed on the charge are still yet to be served and so the prosecution simply asked for another date to intensify efforts to serve them.

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    “We had also filed a bail application that we had hoped will be looked into today, but unfortunately it was sometime yesterday very late that we were served with the response to that bail application. So we also asked for a short date to enable us respond to the counter affidavit that was served by the state.

    “So what the court did today was to simply adjourn the matter to the 2nd of August.” He said.

    Kyon however refused to mention the names of the other accused persons who are the 3rd and 4th defendants, “saying they are not necessarily part of the matter until they are served”.

    According to him, “In a criminal matter you cannot proceed until all the accused are served. That is part of the reason we have not been able to make much progress, all the while and since the matter was instituted the third and fourth defendants have not been served.”

    He said, “The bail application could not be taken today because not withstanding that we filled a bail application over a month ago, the state only respond yesterday evening, so we asked for a a short time to respond.”

    On the health of El-Zakzaky and his wife, the lawyer said “The situation is very apparent because sometimes in January he suffered a mild stroke, you are aware of that, also you are aware that his eyes are failing him, and his health is also failing. Also the wife was shot during the incident in Zaria so in terms of their health i can tell you coupled with their age, when you put all these together you will know that, their health cannot be said to be okay. It is part of the issues we are asking for bail.

    “But the fact is that we have put all the facts together before the court upon which we believe the court should grant him bail, we have seen the response that was filled by the State. We intend to respond by way of the a further affidavit to the counter affidavit as per the correct facts as it affects their health and others that the court should take into consideration that use their discretion.”
    He explained.

     

     

  • Absence of judge stalls El-Zakzaky’s trial

    The absence of Justice Gideon Kurada of a Kaduna High Court on Thursday staled the arraignment of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat over alleged culpable homicide.

    The Kaduna State Government had brought an eight-count charge against the IMN leader and his wife.

    They are being charged for alleged conspiracy, abating culpable homicide and other related offences.

    Journalists were however stopped by the police from entering the court for the proceedings.

    However, Zakzaky’s counsel, Femi Falana (SAN), informed the News Agency of Nigeria  that the judge was unavoidably absent to take the case.

    He said both prosecuting and defence counsel have decided and picked July 11 as the next adjourned date.

    Read Also: El-Zakzaky: Shi’ite members protest in Abuja, demand his release

    Falana decried the action of police in stopping journalists and commuters who were interested in the case to witness the proceeding.

    He said that there was no law in the country which stops people from witnessing the proceeding of a trial of any citizen.

    NAN reports that on May 15, Zakzaky and his wife were brought to court for arraignment.

    The prosecuting counsel, Dari Bayero however asked for more time to enable the prosecution serve the two other persons standing trial with the Shiites leader.

  • Court adjourns case challenging Zakzaky’s IMN ban till March 22

    Court adjourns case challenging Zakzaky’s IMN ban till March 22

    A Federal High Court sitting in Kaduna has adjourned to March 22 hearing on the suit filed by the Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky led Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) against Kaduna State government, challenging the ban of the movement in the state.

    Presiding Judge, Justice A. Shuiabu said the adjournment became necessary to enable counsels to the state government and the Directorate of State Security (DSS) prepare their final affidavit.

    Counsel to IMN, Barrister A. U Ajodo stated that the counsels to the government and DSS submitted their response to the case on Thursday and that he would need time to peruse it before reacting adequately.

    According to him, “lawyers to the government, governor and the DSS just submitted their affidavit this morning and I need to go through it”.

    It would be recalled that after the arrest of IMN leader, El-Zakzaky and some members of the group by the federal government for blocking the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff in Zaria. The state government through the governor Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai put a ban on the group’s activities in the state.

    The governor ordered that its members be arrested if they attempt to hold any form of rally or procession in the state. The IMN is in Court to stop the ban and harassment of its members by security operatives, citing freedom of religion and association, urging that with the ban in place, government will be infringing on their freedom as citizens.

    Assistant Director Public Prosecution, M.D Joseph, counsel to the state government and counsel to DSS, Barrister L.A Bulus and counsels to the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff were all advised by Justice Shuaibu to get their acts straight when the case comes up for hearing in March 22, 2018, because he will not entertain excuses.

  • Video: El-Zakzaky speaks from detention, says I’m improving

    Video: El-Zakzaky speaks from detention, says I’m improving

    Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, was  allowed a brief public appearance yesterday two years after he was thrown into detention with his wife,Zeenah.

    His  appearance at a Safe Facility in Abuja was to assure his followers that he is indeed alive,contrary to rumour of his death last week.

    El-Zakzaky,who wore a white flowing gown and had a  turban on his head, told reporters that he was ok and had been allowed to see his doctor.

    He thanked Nigerians for their prayers for him.

    He also thanked the DSS for agreeing to his demand for a change that has enabled his personal doctors to examine him.

    He said:”It was severe  on me on Monday but subsequently it started subsiding and for the first time, at least the security allowed me to see  my own doctors .

    “So it was my own doctors who examined me.

    “Before, I used to be  examined by DSS doctors alone, but this time, I did not agree  and my own doctors came to examine  me .

    “I am getting better.Thanks for all your prayers.”

    Following is the transcript of the one-minute, 20 second interaction El-Zakzaky had with reporters:

     Journalist: Good afternoon, sir?

    El-Zakzaky: How are you?

    Journalist: Can we have a word with you?

    El-Zakzaky: If they (DSS personnel) agree and allow me (He says so jokingly)

    Journalist: How are you feeling now?

    El-Zakzaky: I feel better.The security (officers) have allowed me to see my doctor, my personal doctor. I thank God. I am improving.

     Journalist: Do you have anything to add?

    El-Zakzaky: I thank you for all your prayers.

    Journalist: Thank you sir.

    El-Zakzaky: Thanks (As he walked away).

    He was immediately returned to his detention room.

    The DSS and his lawyer ,Mr.Femi Falana (SAN) had, on Friday,denied that he was dead.

    However,Falana said he was very ill and needed to see his doctor.

    The cleric was arrested  along with his wife, Zeenah, following a bloody clash between his supporters and the entourage of the Chief of Army Staff,Lt General Tukur Buratai in Zaria in December 2015.

    Ibrahim Musa, spokesman for  the Islamic Movement of Nigeria had claimed, in a statement last week,that  “hoodlums have been commissioned by the authorities to foment trouble by burning tyres and properties in the course of our peaceful processions.

    “Part of their evil plot involved spreading false news of the alleged death of our leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky due to illness,  on a fake Facebook page.

    “They had hoped to achieve their mischievous aims by using that to wreak havoc and attribute same to a supposed reaction of members of the Islamic Movement.”

    Last  November Falana appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to order  the immediate  release  of El Zakzaky in compliance with the ruling of a Federal High Court in Abuja in December 2016 .

    He said  the court also awarded them N50 million reparation and directed the Federal Government to provide a temporary accommodation for them as it had been  established that the Nigerian Army and the Kaduna state· government had burnt and demolished their private residence at Zaria in Kaduna State

    Watch the video below…

    [jwplayer infBomPp]