The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN)

  • El-Zakzaky’s return heats up Abuja

    There are security concerns in the nation’s capital following the abrupt return of Sheikh Ibraheem el-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) from a medical trip to India. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports

    The return of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) Sheikh Ibraheem el-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat to Abuja, the nation’s capital, after the alleged lack of breakthrough in the impasse that ensued in his medical treatment in New Delhi, India, has been a source of worry to Abuja residents.

    Until Saturday, December 12, 2015, barely six months after President Muhammadu Buhari took over the helm of affairs, not many in Nigeria outside the North knew about the activities of the Shiites otherwise known as the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

    El-Zakzaky and his religious group which has its administrative headquarters in Zaria, Kaduna State, were well known by residents of Kaduna State. Only travellers to Kaduna and Kano states who encountered its members during processions that usually take over large portions of the major highway knew the group before 2015. The movement began with a Shia Muslim university activist, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who is said to have become so impressed with the 1979 Iranian Revolution that he wanted one at home. Later, Zakzaky went to Iran, ultimately becoming a Shia cleric. At home he became the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and turned it into a vehicle for proselytising and gaining followers in the 1990s. As a result of his activities, millions have converted to Shia Islam in a country where they were rarely known before.

    There have been many processions by the sect in Abuja. The most recent were the ones at the National Assembly and at the Federal Secretariat, Abuja. During the protest at the National Assembly, the protesters clashed with security operatives while trying to gain access to the parliament. Two policemen were shot while several cars were damaged during the clash. Also, in the July 22, 2019 protest within the Central Business District of Abuja, many lives were lost on both sides. One of them was Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, DCP Usman Umar and a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Precious Owolabi, who was deployed to Channels Television, for his primary assignment. Two Assistant Superintendents of Police were seriously wounded while 13 members of the IMN also died. The development drew national outrage.

    Abuja residents had thought that this last experience will put an end to the group’s daily protest and coupled with the fact that El-Zakzaky and his wife were meant to receive adequate treatment in India. But this turned out to be the opposite as he complained that security operatives did not allow him and his wife to see their doctors and that the Nigerian government was forcing him to accept to be treated as a criminal.

    There was a drama at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja last Friday as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) sneaked in the embattled leader, El-Zakzaky and his wife when they arrived aboard an Ethiopian Airline by noon last Friday.

    He was taken through the Presidential Wing by the operatives, preventing journalists to have any contacts with the couple.

    Journalists present at the airport were asked to set their cameras at the arrival lounge of the International Wing but were not allowed to see him.

    The development led to the IMN issuing a statement condemning the circumstance, vowing to resume their suspended protest until El-Zakzaky and his wife are given proper treatment and freed.

    IMN refuted the claims by the Federal Government that the Shi’ite leaders rejected medical attention in India.

    In a statement, the President Media Forum of IMN, Ibrahim Musa said the  government “had an ulterior motive it was nursing using its connections in India when it violated court order and interfered with the procedures of the Sheikh’s treatment. This can also be deduced from the way the security agents whisked him away to unknown destination after arrival at Abuja International airport, without allowing him to have audience with the journalists that were waiting for his arrival.”

    The Federal Government said El-Zakzaky raised false alarm, alleging that the IMN leader planned to seek asylum while on medical treatment in India.

    El-Zakzaky’s other plan, according to the government, was to get an Indian court to grant him leave to relocate to another country. To achieve this plan, he was said to have engaged lawyers and some human right groups to help execute his agenda.

    The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Grace Isu Gekpe, said El-Zakzaky’s actions in India demonstrated malicious intents capable of embarrassing the Governments of Nigeria and India.

    Gekpe said the IMN leader also tried to violate an order of the Nigerian court by approaching an Indian court to seek asylum or leave to travel to another country.

    Part of the statement reads: “The Government notes with dismay the acts of misconduct exhibited by El-Zakzaky that necessitated his repatriation.

    “While in India, he initiated contacts with a team of lawyers led by Ali Zia Kabir Chaudary and Gunjan Singh in that country.

    “He also contacted some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), such as the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and other Shiite groups.

    “His aim was to seek asylum and eventually relocate to another country.

    “The earlier statement of 14th August 2019 by the Government addressed the issues that would have raised some questions with the latest occurrences and particularly the uncelebrated return of El-Zakzaky from India.

    “The public may note that El-Zakzaky’s actions in India demonstrated malicious intents that were capable of embarrassing the Governments of Nigeria and India.

    “With total disrespect and complete loss of decorum for international procedures while in India, he initiated contacts with a team of lawyers led by Ali Zia Kabir Chaudary and Gunjan Singh in that country.

    “He also contacted some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), such as the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and other Shiite groups. His aim was to seek asylum and eventually relocate to another country.

    “It is important to note that if an Indian court had granted El-Zakzaky asylum or leave to travel to another country, it would have violated the Nigerian court order that granted him permission to travel for medical treatment.

    “However, he used the opportunity of being in India to attempt to internationalise his cause by mobilising the Rights groups.

    “Even most unfortunate and rather embarrassing as earlier stated, was his quest to be relocated to a 5-Star hotel to receive visitors instead of being admitted in the hospital as a sick person he claimed to be.

    “In spite of his misconduct, El-Zakzaky’s spouse went further to antagonise the Indian and Nigerian security agents and accused the latter of killing her children.

    “These acts were aimed at winning international sympathy as well as disparaging the Nigerian Government.

    “Having subordinated the quest for medical treatment to other ulterior motives, it became obvious that El-Zakzaky was focused on realising some sinister motives thus the decision to return him to Nigeria”.

    Reacting to the arrival and detention of El-Zakzaky and his wife by the DSS, Abuja residents now live in fear of the unknown.

    Ibrahim Shittu said: “The return of El-Zakzaky to Abuja and his arrest is not a welcome development at all. Now that the security agencies have rearrested him, his followers will resume protests thereby pandemonium will continue to be the order of the day in Abuja. Government should find a lasting solution to this sad development. Now that his followers have vowed to resume protests, Abuja people are not safe on the street. We all remember what happened weeks back where people were killed just because of their protest. This should not be allowed to continue.”

    A security expert, Segun Olododo said: “These El-Zakzaky followers may not be holding any weapon but they are most times violent. Government should prevent the resumption of their protests which I know will be violent.

    “We all live in constant fear of violence, with mayhem and carnage reigning supreme. Several things about Nigeria shock the international community. The consequence is that global media giants now give the country a bad mention in their news bulletins due to the earthshaking story. We take in our stride stories that in other climes will elicit global shockwave. The world is moving on without Nigeria, the self-acclaimed giant of Africa, which has been reduced to a mere footnote in global affairs. We need to find s lasting solution to this sad development.”

    Others are appealing government to by all means ensure that this lingering issue is resolved to avoid more killings in the land.

    Security has been beefed-up within the capital city to forestall any breakdown of law and other especially when the IMN vowed to resume protest.

  • El-Zakzaky didn’t seek asylum in India, says IMN

    THE Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has said a recent statement credited to the Federal Government that its leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, planned to seek asylum in India before his repatriation, is campaign of calumny by the government to cover up its “gross misconduct” in a foreign land.

    The Shi’ites group also accused the government of going beyond its role of supervision to giving instruction on which doctors the IMN leader and his wife could see.

    It accused the government of refusing to allow them access to their own doctors.

    A statement on Sunday by the President of its Media Forum, Ibrahim Musa, said El-Zakzaky was brought back to Nigeria because the government’s “evil schemes” could not be executed.

    Read Also: El-Zakzaky back after shunning treatment in India

    The statement said: “Sequel to the Nigerian government’s sinister operation that frustrated the treatment of the revered Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife, Mallama Zeenat, in India, which led to the repatriation of the couple, the Nigerian government, in its effort to deceive the general public, has concocted contradictory statements and lies to colour its acts of violating the order given by the Kaduna High Court allowing the sheikh to seek treatment in India, with the government only supervising.

    “The facts are that the government mischievously went beyond its role of supervision to the level of maliciously interfering in the medical process, instructing on which doctors the sheikh and his wife must see, while refusing to allow them access to their own doctors. Apparently, the government had a hidden mission, the details of which they had detailed specific doctors to execute. The sheikh was forced to either accept their choice or return home within two hours…”

  • El-Zakzaky, wife released to travel for medicare

    RELIEF came for members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) as the Department of State Services (DSS) released their leader Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky to travel abroad for medical treatment. He was released last night

    Justice Darius Khobo of Kaduna State High Court on Monday granted the Shiites’ leader and his wife Zeenat leave to travel to India for medical attention.

    The DSS action was contained in a statement by its Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr. Peter Afunanya.

    The statement reads: “This is to inform the public that the Department of State Services (DSS) has received the order granting Ibrahim El-Zakzaky leave to travel to India for medical treatment.

    “Consequently, the Service is liaising with relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance.  Conformity with the order is in line with the Service’s avowed commitment to the Rule of Law inherent in a democracy.”

    A top security source added: “All the conditions set by a High Court in Kaduna will be complied with. The top most condition is that he must return to Nigeria for trial.”

    In granting the leave, the court said that El Zakzaky and his wife are to go on medical leave under the supervision or the state.

    The IMN swiftly reacted to the ruling, saying, it was a favourable judgment, which is long overdue.

    But the counsel to the state government and Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dari Bayero said they may be appealing the ruling.

    El Zakzaky and wife are facing an eight-count charge, including culpable homicide and public disturbance in connection with the December 2015 clashes between members of the IMN and soldiers in Zaria, which left many persons dead.

    Lead counsel to the petitioner, Femi Falana SAN, had earlier filed application before Justice Darius Khobo’s Kaduna State High Court, seeking leave to allow his clients seek medical treatment abroad.

    Subsequently, the application was adjourned till Monday for ruling.

    Counsel to El-Zakzaky, Marshal Abubakar, while briefing reporters on the outcome of the court ruling said that what Zakzaky was granted was leave, and not bail.

    Abubakar said: “We filed the application asking for leave to save the life of our clients, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife.

    “The ruling came up and the court under Justice Darius Khobo graciously agreed with Mr. Femi Falana SAN and the various medical reports that were attached to the applications. There were eight medical reports that clearly show the applicants are in dire need of medical treatment abroad.

    “The court agreed that they should be be allowed immediate treatment that they sort for and with supervision of the state.”

    However, the state counsel, Bayero said, the state will study the ruling to see whether it will appeal the judgement or not.

    Read Also: El-Zakzaky: Police warn against procession

    Bayero said: “The context of the court ruling is that Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife are granted leave to travel out for urgent medical attention.

    “The court looked through the medical reports filed and believed Mallam is indeed in dire need of medical attention. This is not a bail, but a leave to travel.”

    Asked how long the leave would last, Bayero said:  “Once he is discharged by the hospital he is referred to. So, as soon as his discharged from the hospital and he returns to the country, his trial will resume.

    “The court has ruled and we are bound by the ruling of the court.”

    Asked whether the IMN leader has choice to go to other hospital for the treatment apart from India, Bayero said, “Zakzaky specifically choose to go to the hospital in India.

    “We will go and sit down and study the ruling and explore whether there is need for us to appeal. We have a month to go through that.”

    However, the IMN in a statement issued shortly after the court ruling by Chairman, Free Zakzaky Campaign Committee, Abdurrahman Abubakar Yola, described the ruling as a victory for their dogged determination and perseverance in the face of extreme persecution.

    The IMN statement reads: “Today (Monday 05/08/19), we obtained a favourable judgement in the ruling on application specifically seeking for the court’s permission to allow Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife, Malama Zeenat Ibrahim to seek urgent medical treatment outside this country.

    “This ruling is not only a vindication that leaving all doors open to obtain favourable outcomes works, but it is a victory for our dogged determination, patience and perseverance in the face of extreme persecution. It is a victory for truth and justice against tyranny and impunity.

    “As a result of all these physical and psychological stresses, the Sheikh suffered series of mild strokes and is at the risk of further recurrences.”

  • El-Zakzaky’s plight worsens as elder brother declares him a terrorist

    Elder brother of Sheikh Ibraheem Yakubu El-Zakzaky, the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shi’ites, Sheikh Muhammad Sani Yakoob, has reacted to the recent proscription of IMN, saying that, it was long overdue.

    El-Zakzaky’s elder brother, who is also the Zaria Branch Chairman of Izalatul Bid’ia wa Ikamatus sunna, told our correspondent in an exclusive interview in Zaria, Kaduna State that the federal government should not stop at proscribing IMN but go further to disband the Shi’ite sect in its entirety.

    He said there is no difference between his younger brother’s IMN, the Shi’ite sect and the dreaded terrorist group Boko Haram, adding that both the leader of the deadly Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, and his younger brother, El-Zakzaky, are terrorists.

    He said the decision taken by the federal government to proscribe the IMN was not only right but overdue because the government can be overthrown through the violent protests of the group.

    Sheikh Yakoob said the IMN leader is responsible for whatever calamity has befallen him, saying that he was warned when he started propagating “his dangerous Shi’ite doctrine.”

    He said: “As you may be aware, El-Zakzaky is my blood brother. We were given birth to by the same father. While growing up, before he started this journey into Shi’ism, I didn’t have any close friend apart from him. We did everything together. We studied together in Islamic school.

    “We warned him seriously to desist when he started this Shi’ism ideology. I personally warned him several times, and when he refused, I had to abandon him. So, whatever the authorities might have done to him, he caused it for himself.”

    Sheikh Yakoob added: “There is nothing good about Shi’ism. These people are supposed to have been proscribed a long time ago, but the government waited until they are now causing havoc.

    “In the entire world, where has the Chief of Army Staff ever been blocked on the way and denied right of passage? Since the time Shi’ites people did that to the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, they were supposed to have been stopped. But now, the authorities seem to have understood their mission.

    “Anywhere the Shi’ites are, they are always a problem. They are the ones that ruined Iraq. They are the ones that ruined Syria, Yemen and Lebanon. All the crises you see in the Middle-East, Shi’ites are responsible for them.

    “You see, with their protests, they çan take over government. The enemies of the country and enemies of the sitting government can take advantage of the Shi’ites protest and overthrow the government.

    “I believe the government now understands this secret. What the government has done is very right.”

    On Tuesday’s declaration by another Shi’ites group that IMN members are fake Shi’ites, El-Zakzaky’s brother described the declaration as hypocritical, saying that all Shi’ites groups have the same doctrine and ideology.

    “They are liars. All Shi’ites are one,” he said.

    “What they are doing is hypocrisy. All of them have the same doctrine and ideology. They are only in Shi’ites leadership tussle with Zakzaky. That is why they are denouncing him publicly.

    “Therefore, it is not only Zakzaky’s group that is supposed to be proscribed. The government should outlaw the entire Shi’ites sect. This is because both Boko Haram and Shi’ites share the same ideology.

    Read Also: El-Zakzaky’s group is fake, says Shi’ites group

    “They can continue to fool other people that they are not armed, but we know they carry arms. Didn’t you see them shown with their arms?

    “They lied that they were not the ones that killed the police officer in Abuja. The Deputy Commissioner of Police that was killed in Abuja was not the first police officer to be killed by the Shi’ites.”

    When asked about the court order that, said his brother should be released and a house built for him anywhere in northern Nigeria, Sheikh Yakubu said, government should only obey such order if it is also ready to build a house for the leader of the dreaded Boko Haram group, Abubakar Shekau.

    He said: “Nobody should blame the government for holding him despite the Abuja court order. Some would say, ehn, court ordered that Zakzaky should be released and a house built for him. If they want the government to build a house for Zakzaky, then the government should also build a house for Shekau.

    “Do Nigerians agree that government should build a house for Shekau? If no, then government should not build a house for Zakzaky, because they are the same. They are all terrorists.”

    He noted that since the exit of El-Zakzaky, Zaria, which was his base, has been very peaceful as security agents have been able to tame their “violent activities.”

    IMN backs El-Zakzaky’s daughter, vows to continue protests

    But in spite an order proscribing it, top members of IMN yesterday aligned with the decision made by the daughter of their detained leader, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky that the group’s protests will continue until her parents are released.

    The group also disowned the statement issued on Wednesday by its spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, that they had suspended the protests in line with the proscription of the sect by the Federal Government through a court order.

    Suhaila Zakzaky in videos shared on her Facebook page on Thursday questioned the ban and said the protests would continue until her father is released.

    A statement issued by a top member of the IMN, Abdullahi Musa, for Academic Forum, Sisters’ Forum and Abul-Fadl, said other IMN members were not informed about the ban on protests.

    Musa said: “On the 31st day of July, 2019, a press statement titled “We Are Temporarily Suspending Our Street Protests” and signed by Malam Ibrahim Musa, President of the Media Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, went viral.

    “The article was published and aired by numerous media outlets, both local and international.

    “In the statement, it was written that “this was mainly to create openings into the resolution of problems, especially the court case instituted by our lawyers on the proscription order by the federal government this week.”

    It further claimed that “if at all any protests occurred anywhere in the country, it might be this notice hasn’t reached those in the field or this message is misunderstood or it is some security agents who are behind it.

    “First of all, we would like to state for the record that apart from members of the media forum, none of us was informed of this prior to seeing it in the papers and online.

    “Secondly, the media forum of the Islamic Movement is supposed to consist of Press men and thus has no involvement in the organising of our ceremonies, our protests or legal activities among others.

    “Thirdly, no decision of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria has ever been communicated on the pages of a newspaper.

    “Contrary to what the statement may insinuate, it is important to note that the proscription order was not an act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but rather from some Federal High Court in the capital Abuja.

    “Bear in mind that courts do not make laws; the National Assembly does, and there is a process involved.

    “Under the constitution, even the President lacks the legal authority to simply pronounce edicts into law. Nigeria is not an absolute monarchy.

    “Most pre-eminently, the right to protest peacefully is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution. Impunity is not.”

    The IMN disowned Ibrahim Musa as their spokesman, saying: “In the aftermath of the publication of this unfortunately misleading statement, we subsequently tried to investigate the source of this frankly confusing document.

    “We have consulted extensively with fellow followers of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky on this matter.

    “Our only conclusion is that this whole affair was a combination of misinformation, miscommunication, human error and other significant factors.

    “Here in Abuja, we are legally protesting the illegal detention of our leader and his wife.

    “By doing this for our leader, we are also legally protesting against all forms of illegal detention, extrajudicial killings, among numerous other illegal perpetrations of injustice by this current administration.

    “The statement signed by Malam Ibrahim Musa of the media forum does not, in any way, reflect the beliefs and convictions of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

    “A single representative of a Forum within the Islamic Movement has no authority to single-handedly dictate his opinion on every one of us. Only our leader Sheikh Zakzaky may do that.

    “For this reason, we are compelled to caution the media to never treat, any further, such explicit declarations by any member of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria in general, and Ibrahim Musa in particular, without a grain of salt.

    “We wish to also explicitly state that we are fully determined to continue our protests.

    “We shall continue our peaceful protests uninterrupted and unhindered till our leader Sheikh Zakzaky is free, for as long as it takes, regardless of obstacles.

    “Until Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky is Free, our protests will continue.”

  • We’re not responsible for Kaduna Mopol’s death – Shi’ites 

    ….say, police, thugs responsible

     

    The Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky led Shi’ites group, otherwise known as Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has denied responsibility for the killing of a Mobile Police Officer in Kaduna on Thursday, saying the police and some hired thugs were responsible for the act.

    The movement which addressed a press conference in Kaduna on Saturday said allegations levelled against its members protesting the continued detention of their leader, Sheikh Zakzaky was not true.

    Addressing the press on behalf of the IMN leadership, Secretary of its Media Forum,   Abdulmumin Giwa, said since the existence of the movement in Nigeria under the leadership of Sheikh El Zakzaky, it has never resorted to use of violence, despite series of persecution meted on its members across the country.

    According to him, “We have it on records that Senior Police Officers had met thugs called Civilian JTF a day before the incident at a place called Kinkinau Quarters of Kaduna and plotted this callous and unfortunate murders to be carried out when we come out to conduct our free Zakzaky processions.

    Read Also:Police, Shi’ites clash in Kaduna

    “This was to discredit us in order to turn the tables against us. Thus the reported killing of the policeman was a handiwork of some desperate people out to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. It was the result of a joint handiwork of policemen and thugs.

    “Furthermore, the state Police Public Relations Officer was overheard a day before saying that there was going to be war the following day, and that he would personally take an AK47 and come out. Another police officer had warned friends living around the Central Market, Tudun Wada, Rigasa that the police would engage on some special operations the following day and that it would be best to avoid such places.

    “There are also reports reaching us that indicate that Police, in an unholy alliance with thugs called Civilian JTF, have planned a house-to-house attacks on certain targeted members of the Islamic Movement living in Kaduna from yesterday. According to our sources, the police had assured the thugs of state backing and cover.

    Giwa explained that: “As the thugs were callously and unjustifiably killing a policeman, the police were actively sporadically shooting on members of the Islamic Movement with live ammunition as they scampered for cover.

    “Since December 2015, on the streets of Kaduna alone, we have lost 23 members to police bullets, and at least 5, this year alone. What have we done in response other than resort to Courts seeking the enforcement of our rights to peacefully protest? He asked.

  • Kaduna: 40 Shiite members arrested over killing of policeman

    No fewer than 40 suspected members of  the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) known as the Shiite  are now in police custody in Kaduna in the aftermath of Thursday’s violent attack on police men in the city.

     A policeman was stoned to death by rampaging Shiite members who were demanding the release of their leader,Ibrahim El-Zakyzaky  from detention.

    Although Police Commissioner Austin Iwar put the figure of the arrested persons at nine,sources said they had reached 40 at press time.

    The Police, in a statement signed by the Public Relations’ Officer (PRO) Mr Muhktar Aliyu said the command had deployed men from its intelligence unit to trail the leaders and coordinators of the attack.

    He said:“the command wishes to inform the general public that again, on the June 21, 2018, at about 10:00 hours, the violent members of the proscribed IMN popularly refer to as Shiite, armed with guns, knives and Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs) violently attacked every police officer on sight, during which they brutally killed a police officer and injured several others.”

    He described the action as confrontational and a calculated attempt to force the police into conflict with the group to disrupt the peace in the state.

    “In the cause of containing the incident, a number of suspects were arrested and will soon be charged to court.

    “The police will not leave any stone unturned in making sure that those who are bent on perpetrating evil through violence are brought to book.

    “Members of the public are enjoined to work with the police and other security agencies by providing timely information on any emerging threat to our collective peaceful existence.

    “They are also to caution their relations and wards to desist from supporting or joining the violent group as the command has resolved to apply the full weight of the law in dealing with persons disturbing the peace in the state.”

  • Murder: Zakzaky arraigned before Kaduna court amidst tight security

    The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shi’ites, Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky was on Tuesday arraigned before a Kaduna High Court 4 amidst tight security.

    Sheikh Zakzaky who was in the court in company of his wife as early as 8:30am was said to have been smuggled into Kaduna the previous night from where he is being kept.

    Speaking to the media, Counsel to Zakzaky, Barrister Maxwell Kyom, said the Cleric is being charged for unlawful gathering, criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide punishable with death.

    Barrister Kyom said the case could not continue because two of the Defendants were not in court. He said an oral application was moved for the bail of the Cleric and his wife, but the presiding Judge, Justice Gideon Kurada asked him to put his application in writing.

    Journalists and sympathizers of the Shiites leader trooped to the court premises but were barred from entering, as the major roads leading to the court were condoned off.  From the Yakubu Gowon Way by Bida road, two hilux of Kaduna state security outfit ‘Operation Yaki’ blocked the road and pedestrians who are not staff of the High Court were turned away.

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

    A leader of the Shiites sect in Kaduna, Mallam Abdulhameed Bello said Sheikh Zakzaky was forcefully brought to Kaduna a night before the sitting.

    According to him, members of the Movement were disappointed for his re-arraignment because in a substantive suit before an Abuja High Court, the court ruled that he should be released unconditional.

    Mallam Bello disclosed that Sheikh Zakzaky is almost losing his two eyes and suffering from Diabetes and mild stroke.

    “We call on the federal and Kaduna State Governments to as a matter of urgency obey the judgment of the Abuja court and release the Sheikh for peace to reign.

    “We as a Movement will continue to use all peaceful means to put pressure on the government to see reason and allow Sheikh Zakzaky to go home and attend to his deteriorating health,” he said.

    The case was adjourned to June 21, 2018 by the presiding judge, Justice Kurada based on application by the prosecutor for them to properly file their statement of claim.

  • Zakzaky’s followers to march across Nigeria Friday

    Zakzaky’s followers to march across Nigeria Friday

    Members of the Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky led Islamic Movement in Nigeria; popularly known as Shi’ites are to embark on their annual Quds Day marches across the country Friday.

    The Nation recall that, the Shi’ites during similar event in 2014 clashed men of the Nigerian Army and the clash led to the death of over 30 members of the movement, including three sons of El-Zakzaky.

    The 2014 clash was the genesis of the Shi’ites/Army crisis before that of December 2015, which led to the arrest and detention of Zakzaky and his wife.

    Meanwhile, the movement in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesman, Ibrahim Musa said, the march is a peaceful demonstration in support of victims of Zionism and against illegal occupation of Palestine by Israeli.

    According to the statement, “the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) under the leadership of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky (H) has been in the forefront in observing the Quds Day which is well attended by both Muslims and non-Muslims alike on the last Friday of Ramadan for several decades now. This year’s event is set to hold tomorrow Friday 28 Ramadan, 1437 equivalent to 23 June, 2017.

    “The IMN hereby call on all people of conscience to join in commemorating this annual event by lending a voice to the oppressed people of Palestine, while condemning the Israeli atrocities on them. It is scheduled to take place in over 24 cities across the country, and all are invited to attend.

    “The Day is commemorated based on conscience and not only on religious consideration as victims of Zionism and illegal occupation of Palestine include Muslims and Christians alike. Moreover pro-Palestinian protest marches such as this are organized in all parts of the world including Europe and America to mark the International Quds Day.

    “The third holiest mosque in Islam, Masjid al Aqsa is under the occupation of the Zionist Israeli regime following the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel. The holy mosque of al-Aqsa is the place through which the holy Prophet of Islam Muhammad (SAWA) undertook his night journey when he ascended to the heavens as mentioned in the holy Quran.

    “The illegal state of Israel had unleashed terror on the innocent but strong-hearted people of Palestine for the past 60 years, killing unarmed men, women and children, demolishing their houses and placing thousands in illegal detention and torture.

    “All these are taking place before the very eyes of the world but for reasons best known to them, the international community is simply looking the other way as this state terrorism is taking place with what could best be described as genocide against the people of Palestine.

    “Left without any help or assistance from the so-called world powers while Israel is dealing deadly blow on the Palestinians, whose lands it had occupied, the entire populace were left to themselves against the terror-laden state of Israel.

    “It is against this background that the leader of Islamic Revolution in Iran, Ayatullah Ruhullah Khomeini declared the last Friday of every month of Ramadan for people of conscience across the globe to express their support for the Palestinian course and condemn the illegal occupation of Palestine by Israel.

    “We will also like to seize this opportunity to call on the Nigerian government to immediately and unconditionally release the revered leader of the IMN, His Eminence, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, who has been most active in this course of struggle for humanity and who in the past lost his children in the cause of this struggle for Palestinian freedom. Today is the 588 days he spent in detention despite a substantive court order for his release”, it said.

     

     

  • Police disperse Anti-Zakzaky protesters in Kaduna

    Police disperse Anti-Zakzaky protesters in Kaduna

    The Police in Kaduna on Thursday, dispersed hundreds on anti-Zakzaky protesters at the Government House Kaduna, leading to several sustaining minor injuries while scampering for safety.

    The youth who filed out carrying banners and placards, were mistaken for Shi’ites, loyal to Sheikh Zakzaky and his proscribed group, Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN).

    Few minutes after they had converged outside the Government House gate, waiting for an address from the representatives of the Kaduna State Government, anti-riot policemen from the state’s security outfit, Operation Yaki stormed the venue in trucks, firing tear gas, and armed with sticks.

    Their presence took the protesters by surprise, because they informed that they had already informed the Police of the planned protest before embarking on it.

    After they were identified as anti-Zakzaky, they were allowed to converge few metres from the Government House Gate, displaying their banners and posters.

    Addressing the protesters, Comrade Richard Augustine who spoke on behalf of the group, Justice and Peace Development, condemned the calls by the IMN for the release of Zakzaky.

    According to him, “our march today is therefore, to demand that El Zakzaky and other IMN extremists arrested for terrorism related cases must be prosecuted. IMN’s foreign sponsors must stop taking Nigeria for granted as we must not join the league of countries whose security agencies know terrorists and still leave them to carry out attacks before executing them to show they are working,” he said.

    Speaking further, he condemned what he termed the denigrating of the office of  the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo by IMN. He said “Osinbajo merely stated the fact when he said El Zakzaky remains in detention because there is an appeal against his court ordered release. Those calling for the release of Zakzaky have failed,” he added.

    Comrade Augustine said by their protest on Thursday, they have made a strong statement that those pursuing the release of Zakzaky will be faced pound for pound by even bigger anti-Zakzaky protests.

    “But unlike them, we would not be asking for the release of extremists, we are rather demanding that all extremists and terrorists should be tried under the stiffest of our laws to serve as deterrence,” he submitted

     

  • ‘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.