The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Ibrahim El-Zakzaky

  • Dasuki unable to explain how he spent $1.2b

    Dasuki unable to explain how he spent $1.2b

    The Federal Government has accused former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki of making $1.2billion transactions in one day without explaining what the deals were about.

    Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed told reporters in his Oro hometown in Kwara State that releasing Dasuki and Shi’ite leader Ibrahim El-Zakzaky without extracting information from them would have a negative impact on national security. He spoke after a Ramadan lecture he organised in the town.

    Dasuki, he said, would remain in custody for security reasons, adding that the government has information at its disposal which could not be divulged because of national security.

    Dasuki and El-Zakzaky have been in custody despite court orders granting them bail. Dasuki is on trial.

    At every point in time, a government will make a hard decision between your personal liberty and national security.  Now in the wake of 9/11, the United States (U.S.) came with regulation that breached the personal rights of Americans and all of us because of national security.

    ‘‘In the case of El- Zakzaky and Dasuki, we are also talking about national security.”

    The minister said the former national security adviser had refused to account for ‘‘$1.2 billion dollars transactions he made in one day,” an action he said called for serious security concerns since such huge amount could be used to ‘‘destabilise the whole country’’.

    This is an individual who made $1.2 billion transactions in one day and up till today, he has refused to tell the government where the money went to and who he has given the money and people are saying we should release him – the minister said.

    The minister said since the government would take responsibility for its actions, it could not guarantee whether the former national security adviser would still stay in the country if granted bail.

    He also warned against beating drums of war adding that the consequences of war would be as debilitating on those promoting it. Those “beating the war drum, God forbid, if the war happens, they will not escape it,” he said.

    Mohammed said hate speeches continued to gain currency in the media because “comments, personal opinions now taking the place of facts”, regretting that some Nigerians swallow what was being published on social media “hook, line and sinkers”.

    He said: “The impunity with which people make very inflammatory speeches, the reckless statements people make without caring for the consequences – the advent of the social media, which is largely faceless and has so much power but absolutely has no control – has fueled the phenomenon.

    “Before the advent of social media, there were rules of engagement. Before, journalists follow the ethics of the profession that facts are sacred, but comments are free.

    “This government does not have an official policy to marginalise any part of the country. The records are there. I don’t think that hate speeches are being fueled by anybody being marginalised.”

  • ‘How NJC violates its guidelines on judges’ appointment’

    ‘How NJC violates its guidelines on judges’ appointment’

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has been accused of violating its guidelines for appointment of high court judges.

    Among others, the NJC Judicial Appointment Guidelines 2014 provides that available vacancies be published before any judge is appointed.

    A human rights group, the Access to Justice (A2J), Monday said the Guidelines were not complied with in the appointment of three new judges of the Lagos State High Court.

    “Our research showed that the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission failed to publicise the the judicial vacancies on notice boards of both the High Courts and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches, and on its website.

    “There was no call or public notice whatsoever requesting an expression of interest from suitable candidates on the Lagos State Judiciary’s website, on the notice boards of high court divisions, or on the notice boards of the NBA branches,” the group said.

    It added that there was no letter to NBA chairmen calling for candidates’ nomination, nor were the names of those nominated sent to NBA for comments as provided in the Guidelines.

    “Access to Justice now invites the NJC to independently investigate claims suggesting that the Guidelines were flouted in the recruitment of new judges of the Lagos State High Court, and insists on the observance of due diligence in future judicial appointments at both state and Federal levels,” the group said.

    It urged NJC to be a bit more thorough to ensure that the standards it set are met and that it does not shoot itself in the foot.

    A2J also faulted the continued detention of leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife.

    It said by continuing to detain them despite court orders that they should be released, the Federal Government “is endangering democracy and the rule of law”.

    The group also faulted the forced eviction of residents of some parts of Lagos, such as those of the waterfront communities of Otodo-Gbame.

    “In accordance with the principles of pubic international law, the government is required to give adequate notice prior to the demolition of any building, ensure that due compensation is paid to affected persons, and safeguard the resettlement of evicted persons. These were not met,” it said.

  • ‘Only El-Rufai can prosecute El-zakzaky’

    The Special Adviser to the President on Prosecution, Okoi Obono-Obla, has said only Kaduna State government has the power to prosecute the leader of the Shiite Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

    He said this during a training workshop for institutions in the judicial sector with the theme: Building capacity of justice sector institutions to achieve criminal justice reforms introduced by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

    The workshop was organized by a justice advocacy group, Access to Justice (A2Justice).

    Obono-Obla said it was not the responsibility of the Federal Government to prosecute El -Zarzaky since the laws infringed upon are Kaduna State laws.

    The Shi’ite leader was arrested by the military on December 14, 2015, after a clash between the movement and officers of the Nigerian army.

    The army killed at least 347 members of the group.

    He approached the court to demand his release, months after he was arrested without being charged to court.

    The Shi’ite leader asked An Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to declare that his arrest and continued detention violated his fundamental rights.

    The court last year granted the Shi’ite leader’s  prayers by ordering the prison authorities to release him.

    Obla said: “It is not a federal crime. This matter is a local crime. The law infringed upon by El-Zakzaky is not a federal offence. If he blocked the roads, if he confronted the soldiers, if they assaulted the soldiers, these are local offences that the Kaduna State government can try.

    “The offense was committed in Kaduna, against the laws of the Kaduna State government so go and ask el-Rufai he is the governor of Kaduna State, why he has not charged him to court.”

  • EU demands immediate release of El-ZaKzaky

    EU demands immediate release of El-ZaKzaky

    The European Union (EU) Heads of Mission has expressed reservations over the continued detention of the leader of the Shitee group, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, by Federal Government in spite of court order for his release.

    A  Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier ordered the immediate release of El-Zakzaky’s from the custody of security forces.

    The mission, in a statement in Abuja, urged the Nigerian authorities to ensure Zakzaky is released in accordance with the ruling of the court or is charged formally in accordance with Nigerian law.

    The statement reads: “The EU Heads of Mission note that the decision by a Federal High Court in Abuja ordering Mr. Ibrahim El-Zakzaky’s immediate release from custody by the State Security Service has not been enforced.

    “The EU underlines the universality of fundamental human rights, which includes the right to a fair trial and freedom from arbitrary detention. We find it worrying that Mr. Zakzaky has been detained for more than a year without having been brought to Justice.

    “We therefore urge the Nigerian authorities to ensure Mr. Zakzaky is released in accordance with the ruling of the court or is charged formally in accordance with Nigerian law and faces an impartial and balanced trial without further delay.

    “We encourage transparency and believe it is important that the findings made by all past or ongoing investigations into the violence that occurred in Zaria in December 2015 are published.

    “The EU Heads of Mission are of the view that all those responsible for the violence must be prosecuted according to the law and that anyone found guilty must be sentenced accordingly.

    “The right to peaceful assembly and association, as well as the right to free speech is enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. The EU Heads of Mission also remind Nigeria that it is essential to promote religious tolerance and respect religious rights.

    “The EU Heads of Mission will continue to follow the judicial situation of Mr. Zakzaky and his wife closely.”

  • Court orders immediate release of El-Zakzaky

    Court orders immediate release of El-Zakzaky

    The Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the unconditional release of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Shiite sect in Nigeria, and his wife, Malama Zeatudden, from detention,  within 45 days.

    The court also ordered the Federal Government to provide a new accommodation for El-Zakzaky in Zaria or any northern town of his choice.

    The court, presided by Justice Gabriel Kolawole, also awarded El-Zakzaky and his wife N50 million as general damages.

  • Court rules on El-Zakzaky’s suit November 25

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday picked November 25 for ruling in the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by the detained leader of the Shiite Movement, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

    The judge chose the date after entertaining argument from parties on the respondent’s’ objection and the applicant’s substantive suit.

    El-Zakzaky is challenging his continued arrest and detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    His lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), told the court that his client was being unlawfully held against his wish, without trial since December 15.

    He argued that his client was absent at the scene of the clash between his group’s members and men of the Nigerian Army in December 2015.

    DSS’ lawyer, Tijani Ganzali, argued that El-Zakzaky was being detained under protective custody due to information that his life was in danger.

  • Protesters want Shiite leader El-Zakzaky prosecuted for terrorism

    Protesters want Shiite leader El-Zakzaky prosecuted for terrorism

    A civil society organization, Sovereign Rights Coalition (SRC), has called on the Federal Government to prosecute Shiite leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky for acts of terrorism.

    The group also wants the government to cut diplomatic ties with the Republic of Iran over the role played by the country during the attack on Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria led by Ibrahim, El-zakzaky.

    El-Zakzaky and members of Shiite were involved in a December 2015 attack on the convoy of General Buratai in Zaria, Kaduna state.

    ‎Coordinator of the group, Daniel Obaje, who led the protesters to Federal Ministry of Justice in Abuja, described as blackmail comments by human rights group and western media on developments in the country as its concern security.

    Obaje said: “It is pertinent for the immediate arraignment and prosecution of the leader of the sect on terror charges as deemed appropriate.

    “We have also discovered that the relationship between our country and the Republic of Iran has become cancerous and will only be beneficial if such detrimental tie is severed to prevent further damage.

    “It also chief amongst our demand that apart from ceasing all diplomatic relationships with the Iranian republic, a total removal of her embassy from Nigerian soil is pertinent and apt.

    “All blackmails by bodies including human right groups as well as western media come to an end as it amounts to an affront on the sovereignty of Nigeria.

    “It is not news that the group, Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) led by its leader Mr. Ibraheem El Zakzakky had launched an attack on the Chief of Army Staff and his convoy in Kaduna where in the course of the operation where he was arrested and a cache of arms was recovered.

    “It has been nearly a year since this unfortunate event and these debauchers have continued to exhibit this impermissible crass negligence of the nation’s sovereignty in their hooded attempts to annex the nation to form their own republic.

    “These extremists have so far been allowed to further destabilize the nation and its integrity via sponsored protests and media campaign accompanied with blackmail using international organizations and media.”

    A director in the federal ministry of Justice, Princess Okorie who received the protesters on behalf of the Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami appreciated their efforts and promised to channel all their grievances to the appropriate quarters.

  • Boko Haram: Military commits 600 extra-judicial killings, says Amnesty

    Boko Haram: Military commits 600 extra-judicial killings, says Amnesty

    •Report wrong, says DHQ

    The Amnesty International yesterday implicated the Nigerian military in the extra-judicial killing of over 600 in the North-East, especially Maiduguri and Bama.

    The AI also said it is in possession of video footage, images and testimonies to back up its claim.

    The organization also indicted the military for the killing of 33 people, including the children of a Shiite cleric, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, during a procession some days ago in Zaria.

    It demanded impartial and independent probe of extra-judicial executions in the country.

    But the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) yesterday faulted the findings of the AI.

    The AI however gave its verdict in a statement in Abuja on what appeared about a four-month survey of the North East.

    The statement said: “Gruesome video footage, images and testimonies gathered by Amnesty International provide fresh evidence of war crimes, including extrajudicial executions, and other serious human rights violations being carried out in North-Eastern Nigeria as the fight by the military against Boko Haram and other armed groups intensifies.

    “The footage, obtained from numerous sources during a recent trip to Borno state, reveals graphic evidence of multiple war crimes being carried out in Nigeria.

    “More than 4,000 people have been killed this year alone in the conflict by the Nigerian military and Boko Haram, including more than 600 extra-judicially executed following the Giwa Barracks attack on 14 March in Maiduguri.

    The Defence Headquarters yesterday faulted a report of the Amnesty International on alleged extra-judicial executions by troops the North-East, especially Borno State.

    It said the scenes depicted in the videos released by AI were alien to the operations and doctrines of the Nigerian military.

    It however said it has raised a team of legal and forensic experts to study the videos released by AI to identify those behind the executions.

    It vowed to take legal action against any personnel or anyone found culpable in accordance with the provisions of the law.

    The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, who made the clarifications in a statement in Abuja, said the Nigerian military cannot condone any action or inaction that tramples on the right to life of any Nigerian

    The statement said: “The Nigerian military takes the issue of Human Rights seriously and will never condone any proven case of abuse by its personnel. Military authorities are deeply concerned about the set of video footage being circulated and which unfortunately has also become reference data for Amnesty International in its report.

    “Much as the scenes depicted in these videos are alien to our operations and doctrines, it has to be investigated to ensure that such practices have not crept, surreptitiously into the system.

    “The Defence Headquarters considers these allegations too grievous to be associated with Nigerian troops, considering the doctrinal and operational contents of the training imparted to personnel on a continuous basis; emphasizing the importance of respect for Human Rights and dignity of human person as well as observance of humanitarian laws.

    “Notwithstanding the cases of impersonations that have pervaded the counter-terrorism operations in Nigeria and many other related issues which cast doubts on the claims made in the video, the military authorities view those grave allegations very seriously, more so as it borders on the integrity of the ongoing counter-terrorism operation, which must be sustained in the interest of our national survival.”

    The DHQ said a team of senior officers and legal cum forensic experts had been set up to probe the allegations and examine the videos with the AI.

    The statement added: “Consequently, the Defence Headquarters in addition to the already existing Joint Investigation Team (JIT) has constituted a team of senior officers and legal cum forensic experts to study the video footage and the resultant allegations of infractions in order to ascertain the veracity of the claims with a view to identifying those behind such acts.

    “ This will further determine and stimulate necessary legal action against any personnel or anyone found culpable in accordance with the provisions of the law.

    “The Nigerian Armed Forces cannot condone any action or inaction that tramples on the right to life of any Nigerian.

    “The ultimate objective of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operation is the complete cessation of the heinous and barbaric activities of the terrorists and to stamp out every vestige of terrorism in our country with the application of international best practices in such operations.

    “It will therefore, be absurd for the Nigerian Armed Forces as an institution to perpetrate such unprofessional acts in the manner and level depicted in that video as alleged by Amnesty International.  Indeed, that level of barbarism and impunity has no place in the Nigerian military.

    “Respect for the sanctity of life is always boldly emphasized in our doctrinal trainings. It must thus be reiterated that the Nigerian military is a very well organized professional body of troops whose conducts in war and peace times are guided comprehensively by law.

    “The Armed Forces of Nigeria is conscious of the nation’s obligation to observe all rules, regulations and commitments in all activities, and wishes to reassure all Nigerians, the civil societies and the international community that it will not encourage or condone any form of human rights violation as depicted in the said video.”