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Tag: Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky

  • Gunshots in Kaduna, as police disperse protesting Shi’ites

    There was panic as police fired shots into the air to disperse members of the Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky led Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shi’ites, who stormed the streets to protest the continued ‘incarceration’ of their leader,

    El-Zakzaky and his wife Hajiya Zeenat Ibrahim among some other members of the group that are facing charges in Kaduna State High Court and Magistrate Court respectively, after being arrested in December 2015 following clash with the military in Zaria.

    The Shi’ite members in their thousands, composed mainly of young men and women, commenced the protest immediately after the Friday Jumaat prayer along Kano road by shouting “Allahu Akbar (Allah is greatest), free our leader”.

    Read Also: Forgive me, I’ll take more tough decisions, El-Rufai tells Kaduna people

    As they stormed Ahmadu Bello Way, Kaduna city’s major thoroughfare, they were immediately accosted by security agencies who shot several canisters of teargas into the sky, forcing the protesters to scatter in different directions.

    The protesters had caused immediate anxiety among residents and those who held their Friday Jumaat prayer in the area forcing everyone to scamper to safety for fear of being a victim of another crisis.

    The police gunshots further created fear in the vicinity with everyone in the earshot of the gunshot sounds running for cover.

    The police then cleared the roads, Ahmadu Bello Way, Kano Road, Ibadan Street and Abeokuta Street among others, while directing traffic to enable people move freely as traffic threatens to build up.

    It was not immediately ascertained if any of the protesters were arrested by the police.

     

  • Court adjourns Zakzaky’s trial indefinitely

    A Kaduna State High Court yesterday adjourned the trial of Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zinat, indefinitely.

    Justice Gideon Kurada adjourned the case due to his appointment to serve as a judge in the Presidential and National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Yobe State.

    El-Zakzaky and wife, who have been in custody since December 2015, were arraigned at the state High Court for culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of public peace, among others.

    Speaking to reporters after the adjournment, lead counsel to the defendants, Femi Falana (SAN) said the case was adjourned because Justice Kurada is serving as a judge on election petition tribunal.

    The rights lawyer said aside absence of the trial judge, El-Zakzaky and his wife were in dire need of medical attention – the reason they could not appear in court.

    Read also: Federal Govt closes ‘illegal arms importation’ case

    He alleged that the IMN leader and his wife had not been given adequate medical care since December 14, 2015, when they were detained.

    According to him, “So the court has adjourned sine die, meaning indefinitely. My clients are yet to access any form of medical attention, even after the court had ordered so.

    “The case had to be adjourned as both my clients need time to attend to their health.”

  • Rumble in Zakzaky’s camp

    Rumble in Zakzaky’s camp

    It is over eight months since Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja ordered the immediate release of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. The order was not obeyed and the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) remains in custody.

    The situation has forced followers of the Shi’ites sect leader to often take to the streets in major cities of the North, particularly Kaduna, demanding his and his wife’s unconditional release. They have been in custody since December 2015.

    Members of the Islamic sect clashed with the men of the Nigerian Army in December 2015. The clash left many people dead, while the sect leader, Sheikh Zakzaky was later arrested during the soldiers’ raid on his house in Zaria two days later and handed over to the Department of State Service (DSS).

    However, after several protests and litigation, Justice Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja in December 2016 ordered his release and 24-hour police protection for El- Zakzaky and his wife when they are released from custody.

    Apart from their release, the court ordered the authorities to provide them a decent accommodation alongside their family. Respondents in the suit with number FHC/ABJ/CS/281/2016 are the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney General of the Federation.

    Lagos lawyer and activist Femi Falana (SAN) had approached the court for the release of the religious leader and his wife from detention.

    The court held: “The Respondents shall within 45 days of this judgement make proper and decent arrangement of a residential abode for the applicant and his family in Kaduna State or anywhere of their choice within the northern region, where the applicant and his wife and their children can relocate when released upon the expiration of 45 days from today, that is December 2, 2016.”

    Justice Kolawole said further; “Let me state clearly and for the avoidance of doubt that the failure of the government to effect the release of the applicant and his wife from its custody or any illegal custody whatsoever, upon the expiration of the 45th day from December 2, 2016, such failure shall not only constitute a deliberate act of disobedience of these orders, but it will crystallise into fresh cause of action of infraction of the Applicant’s rights and his wife to personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

    “The Inspector General of Police or any of its subordinate officers not below the rank of Assistant Inspector General when he received the applicant and his wife as ordered, shall take immediate steps within 24 hours, convey the applicant and his wife under necessary security escort to their place of abode as would have been provided by the 1st Respondent, DSS, working in conjunction with the third Respondent, AGF.

    “The 2nd Respondent, Police, shall then provide the applicant and his wife police protection which shall operate round the clock until the alleged threats which were not provided by any admissible evidence but left in the realm of speculation are moved or significantly diminished,” the Judge said.

    Eight months after, Zakzaky’s followers have been left with no alternative but to the continue protests, as the authorities have refused to release their leader.

    During one of the protests in Kaduna, the protesting Shi’ites asked the government to immediately release their leader or exterminate all of them. They also vowed never to rest until federal government releases their leader, who has been in DSS custody since December 2015.

    The angry protesters, who temporarily blocked major highways in Kaduna metropolis were seen with placards with varying inscriptions such as, “Free Zakzaky”, “We demand justice”, “We are Nigerians”, “Release El-zakzaky or kill us all,” among others.

    Addressing newsmen, spokesperson for the protesters, Mallam Nuhu Mafara said they were out in large numbers to agitate for the unconditional release of their leader who has been in detention since the December 2015 clash between the members of the Islamic sect and men of Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    “The protest was a joint action against the illegal detention of our leader Ibrahim El-zakzaky  and all members from Kano Jigawa, Niger, Bauchi, Zamfara and other northern states are here today to demand the unconditional release of our leader.

    “Today also marks over 250 days since a court of the land set him (El-Zakzaky) free, but the cabals holding Nigerians to ransom have stubbornly refused to obey court orders”, he added.

    Also, a statement signed by one of the group’s top members Sheikh Abdulhamid Bello, read in part “while there are known figures in Nigeria today, agitating for the breakup of the country into pieces, with some even issueing ultimatum, to the government. But here is Sheikh Zakzaky, who has never committed any treasonable offence languishing in jail.

    “Precisely the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has clocked 612 days today in the gulag of Buhari administration illegally. It is today well over 250 days when an honorable court of the land set him free from detention, but the cabals holding Nigerians to ransom have stubbornly refused to obey the courts orders”.

    The statement described what happened in Zaria in 2015 as ugly incidences, saying, “during the pogrom that included incessant killing of over 1000 unarmed members of the Movement, burning of some of them alive, looting of their property and demolishing their buildings all perpetrated by the Nigerian Army and the Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

    “The worst part of all this oppression against Sheikh Zakzaky who enjoys millions of followership in Nigeria and beyond, is that to date none of the perpetrators of the genocidal crime in the Army and Kaduna state government has been brought to book. Some have even been rewarded with promotion in their various places of work. These and many more instances of cruelty against the Sheikh made him to be the most oppressed person in Nigeria of today.”

     

  • Rumble in Zakzaky’s camp

    It is over eight months since Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja ordered the immediate release of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky. The order was not obeyed and the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) remains in custody.

    The situation has forced followers of the Shi’ites sect leader to often take to the streets in major cities of the North, particularly Kaduna, demanding his and his wife’s unconditional release. They have been in custody since December 2015.

    Members of the Islamic sect clashed with the men of the Nigerian Army in December 2015. The clash left many people dead, while the sect leader, Sheikh Zakzaky was later arrested during the soldiers’ raid on his house in Zaria two days later and handed over to the Department of State Service (DSS).

    However, after several protests and litigation, Justice Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja in December 2016 ordered his release and 24-hour police protection for El- Zakzaky and his wife when they are released from custody.

    Apart from their release, the court ordered the authorities to provide them a decent accommodation alongside their family. Respondents in the suit with number FHC/ABJ/CS/281/2016 are the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force and the Attorney General of the Federation.

    Lagos lawyer and activist Femi Falana (SAN) had approached the court for the release of the religious leader and his wife from detention.

    The court held: “The Respondents shall within 45 days of this judgement make proper and decent arrangement of a residential abode for the applicant and his family in Kaduna State or anywhere of their choice within the northern region, where the applicant and his wife and their children can relocate when released upon the expiration of 45 days from today, that is December 2, 2016.”

    Justice Kolawole said further; “Let me state clearly and for the avoidance of doubt that the failure of the government to effect the release of the applicant and his wife from its custody or any illegal custody whatsoever, upon the expiration of the 45th day from December 2, 2016, such failure shall not only constitute a deliberate act of disobedience of these orders, but it will crystallise into fresh cause of action of infraction of the Applicant’s rights and his wife to personal liberty guaranteed by the Constitution of Nigeria 1999, as amended.

    “The Inspector General of Police or any of its subordinate officers not below the rank of Assistant Inspector General when he received the applicant and his wife as ordered, shall take immediate steps within 24 hours, convey the applicant and his wife under necessary security escort to their place of abode as would have been provided by the 1st Respondent, DSS, working in conjunction with the third Respondent, AGF.

    “The 2nd Respondent, Police, shall then provide the applicant and his wife police protection which shall operate round the clock until the alleged threats which were not provided by any admissible evidence but left in the realm of speculation are moved or significantly diminished,” the Judge said.

    Eight months after, Zakzaky’s followers have been left with no alternative but to the continue protests, as the authorities have refused to release their leader.

    During one of the protests in Kaduna, the protesting Shi’ites asked the government to immediately release their leader or exterminate all of them. They also vowed never to rest until federal government releases their leader, who has been in DSS custody since December 2015.

    The angry protesters, who temporarily blocked major highways in Kaduna metropolis were seen with placards with varying inscriptions such as, “Free Zakzaky”, “We demand justice”, “We are Nigerians”, “Release El-zakzaky or kill us all,” among others.

    Addressing newsmen, spokesperson for the protesters, Mallam Nuhu Mafara said they were out in large numbers to agitate for the unconditional release of their leader who has been in detention since the December 2015 clash between the members of the Islamic sect and men of Nigerian Army in Zaria, Kaduna State.

    “The protest was a joint action against the illegal detention of our leader Ibrahim El-zakzaky  and all members from Kano Jigawa, Niger, Bauchi, Zamfara and other northern states are here today to demand the unconditional release of our leader.

    “Today also marks over 250 days since a court of the land set him (El-Zakzaky) free, but the cabals holding Nigerians to ransom have stubbornly refused to obey court orders”, he added.

    Also, a statement signed by one of the group’s top members Sheikh Abdulhamid Bello, read in part “while there are known figures in Nigeria today, agitating for the breakup of the country into pieces, with some even issueing ultimatum, to the government. But here is Sheikh Zakzaky, who has never committed any treasonable offence languishing in jail.

    “Precisely the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky has clocked 612 days today in the gulag of Buhari administration illegally. It is today well over 250 days when an honorable court of the land set him free from detention, but the cabals holding Nigerians to ransom have stubbornly refused to obey the courts orders”.

    The statement described what happened in Zaria in 2015 as ugly incidences, saying, “during the pogrom that included incessant killing of over 1000 unarmed members of the Movement, burning of some of them alive, looting of their property and demolishing their buildings all perpetrated by the Nigerian Army and the Kaduna state Governor Nasir El-Rufai.

    “The worst part of all this oppression against Sheikh Zakzaky who enjoys millions of followership in Nigeria and beyond, is that to date none of the perpetrators of the genocidal crime in the Army and Kaduna state government has been brought to book. Some have even been rewarded with promotion in their various places of work. These and many more instances of cruelty against the Sheikh made him to be the most oppressed person in Nigeria of today.”

     

  • Buhari vows to react appropriately to Army/Shittes clash

    Buhari vows to react appropriately to Army/Shittes clash

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured international and local human rights groups of appropriate response over the report of the judicial inquiry into the clashes between soldiers and members of the Shiite movement in Nigeria, led by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said that the President is studying the details of the report before announcing appropriate response in due course.

    According to him, the President’s commitment to human rights remains unchanged as it is a cardinal component of the democratic order.

    He also pointed out that President Buhari had told the nation during the Presidential Media Chat that he was awaiting the outcome of the report of inquiry into the incident before making appropriate response.

    The statement reads: “The present administration believes in due process and the rule of law; therefore any response to the report would follow this principle.

    “The Federal Government will continue to act in the larger interest of the public to prevent such violent incidents,” It stated.

  • Revealed: Zakzaky has lost one eye – Counsel 

    Revealed: Zakzaky has lost one eye – Counsel 

    • How followers died for him 
    • Sheikh’s wife shot thrice
    • Bullets removed forcefully by soldiers

    The rumour making the round that leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky has lost his eye to the December clash between members of the movement and a detachment of the Nigerian Army was yesterday confirmed by his lawyers.

    Counsels to the movement, Barrister Festus Okoye and Maxwell Kyon on Wednesday addressed a world press conference in Kaduna to inform the public that Sheikh Zakzaky has dragged the Army and other security agencies involved in the clash to the Federal High Court.

    The lawyers who explained their ordeal before and during their meeting with Shi’ites leader said, Zakzaky and his wife were not in good condition.

    According to Barrister Kyon, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky has completely lost his left eye, while his right eye is partially affected.

    Kyon who also disclosed that Zakzaky’s wife, was shot thrice in the abdomen said, the Shi’ite leader and his wife were subjected to all forms of inhuman treatment by men of the Nigerian Army.

    In his words, “We met with Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky at DSS custody. Initially, the SSS guys wanted to stay with us while we discuss with him, but we insisted that we must see him alone. Later they maintained a reasonable distance and we were able to speak with him.

    “He told us how the soldiers invaded his home and how they killed his followers. In fact, he told us that the soldiers after killing many outside, forced their way into his house, opened the door and meeting them inside, they closed the door again and started shooting sporadically at their direction.

    “He told us that, they would have killed him in the process, but his followers formed a shield around him and his wife, preventing many bullets from reaching him and the wife. At the end, all those that protected them died.

    “The Malam and his wife also sustained bullet injuries. The wife was shot thrice in the abdomen, while one of the bullets hit Zakzaky on his left eye,” he narrated.

    Talking about medical treatment given to Zakzaky, Barrister Kyon said: “against the speculation that the IMN leader was flown abroad for treatment, Malam told us that he was never taken out of the country.

    “He told us that they were only taken to 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Kaduna. And there, he said his wife was not given any form of anaesthesia, some soldiers just held her and forcefully removed the bullets from her abdomen.

    “The only place they were flown to for medical treatment apart from Abuja was Lagos, where they were trying to make sure his remaining eye sees clearly.” He explained.

    However, Kyon said that, as at the time of the Counsels’ visit to El-Zakzaky, he could not identify them clearly, except with the help of his wife who was helping him to identify the visitors one after the other.

    “In fact, we went with a member of the movement whom the Malam was very familiar with, but on getting there, he could not identify the person. That goes to show you how bad his vision has become.” He explained.

  • El-Zakzaky remanded in prison

    El-Zakzaky remanded in prison

    •Gumi: he ran parallel govt for 40 years

    •Shi’ite: allegation untrue

    Leader of the Shi’ite Islamic sect Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky was yesterday remanded in prison custody by a chief magistrate.

    He was arraigned at the Chief Magistrates’ Court 1, Zaria Road, Kaduna and charged with criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbances.

    Some of his supporters were arraigned with him.

    Police spokesperson Olabisi Kolawole confirmed the arraignment and remand of the Shi’ite leader.

    She said: “The Shi’ite leader has been arraigned at a magistrates’ court and charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting public disturbances, among others. He has been remanded in prison custody and the case adjourned.”

    The Shi’ite leader was arrested after his members blocked the path of the Chief of Army Staff in Zaria, leading to a clash with soldiers. Many sect members were killed.

    Army Chief Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai said last week that he was no longer in the custody of the army, but with the agency of government responsible for prosecution of suspects.

    Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase confirmed that  the Islamic leader was with them.

    Kaduna-based Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi has alleged that Sheikh El-Zakzaky ran a parallel government in the North for 40 years.

    Addressing reporters yesterday, Gumi said: “The Shi’ites have been embarking on military training and producing cadets and soldiers. They are operating a state within a state.”

    According to him, “the Islamic Movement of Nigeria does not recognise the corporate entity of the country. The group is not registered. Members operate above the law and get direct foreign aid.”

    Gumi said ex-President Umaru Yar’adua told him of the massive importation of arms and ammunition in parts of the country, citing Iran as a supplier of arms to the Shi’ites.

    The doctor-turned Islamic scholar said the clash between Shi’ites and soldiers was “a divine intervention to prevent us from a catastrophe as that of Boko Haram.”

    He said he wrote Zakzaky about a year ago, warning him about the dangers of blocking roads during the annual Ar’baeen trek, when his followers trekked from all over the country to Zaria.

    Gumi said blocking roads was an abomination in Islam.

    The scholar said the North would be underdeveloped if Shia and Boko Haram were not eradicated, adding: “Unnecessary blocking of roads and shouting of slogans increase tension in the North.”

    The Shi’ite group, however, said: “Gumi’s allegation that we ran a parallel govt is not true, because a government exists when it has a standing army and a territory, which we don’t have. We don’t even own a mosque, we pray with other Muslims.

    “How can there be two governments for 40 years in the same territory without war? We pay taxes and are law-abiding. For the past 40 years, nobody can claim we attacked or molested him.”

  • El-Zakzaky rejects Jonathan’s ‘sorry’

    El-Zakzaky rejects Jonathan’s ‘sorry’

    Frontline Islamic cleric Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky has rejected President Goodluck Jonathan’s apology for the killing of his three sons and 31 other members of his movement.

    El-Zakzaky is the leader of the Shiite Islamic Movement in Nigeria. Members of the group were on a procession on July 25 in his Zaria, Kaduna State base to mark the annual Quds Day when they clashed with security men at the P2 Roundabout in the University town.

    At the end of the clash, 34 members of the sect lay dead; 106 were injured.

    Yesterday, the cleric told visiting Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, in Zaria that he expected nothing but justice from the government.

    He said President Goodluck Jonathan called him on the telephone to apologise to him on the killings but he rejected it.

    “You don’t commit murder and say sorry,” El-Zakzaky said, adding:  “If that is the case, there is no need for legislation. Whenever one commits a crime, all he needs to do is to say sorry. Why do we have the police, courts and prisons? These murderers are known. I am not blaming the entire military, but I know the killers. They are individuals who answer names. I know their commander is a Lieutenant Colonel who personally shot my children. He stamped on their bodies and stabbed them with knives. This is clearly a crime committed.”

    Zakzaky said it is only when criminals are punished that the society acknowledges that a crime was truly committed. “My children were identified as my children before they were tortured to death. This is a crime. I can’t imagine how callous and cruel one can be to murder three children simply because he hates their father. They did nothing,” he said.

    However, he said, the Islamic Movement had cause to rejoice over what happened to its members, as they were killed on the path of God. “You as a Christian believe that Jesus Christ was killed for no offence, but just because he was good. This has been the fate of all good people, such as the Prophets. This is a certificate on our own little way that these people were good, but the corrupt society feels that we should not exist.”

    Zakzaky praised the NHRC boss for the visit and the concern shown, maintaining that the movement would not fold its arms and accept what happened without any effort, but will seek redress through the right channel.

    Odinkalu pledged that the Commission would seek all legal avenues and employ all legal mechanisms to ensure that the law takes its course over the killings.

    Odinkalu added:  “We are all children of one country and one Nigeria. None of us chose to be here, but we are all planted here by God for a reason. No parent wants to lose three children at a time. These children could be children of any parent. But it got to a point in this country where losing people no longer matters, where young people can die and nobody cares.

    “We will ensure justice is done without undue interference from any quarters, as vanguards of citizens in their demand for justice and fair play. We pray God for the repose of the souls of those killed and give to Sheikh the fortitude and strength to bear the irreparable loss.”

    Zakzaky said the perpetrators of the act intended to isolate the Islamic Movement as another “Boko Haram” to create hatred between the group and the public.

    “This is why they are referring to us as ‘Shi’ite sect’. We are never a sect, and will never be one. I personally do not recognise a sect; we have never called ourselves a sect. we have never been a sect and will never be. All my life, I never even recognised a sect,” he said.

    The Sheikh went on: “They indiscriminately and sporadically shot at everyone and everything, including nearby banks and shops, smashed cars. We also realised that the soldiers used special tiny bullets on the protesters that were not easily detected during first aid treatment on the injured.

    “An announcement had already been made that any person injured and discharged from hospital, should go back for cross examination.”

    El-Zakzaky said the military created the Boko Haram sect.

    “It has become obvious that the military has created a faceless and anonymous sect called Boko Haram.   “We have never seen a Boko Haram member nor their schools, mosques or newspapers. All we hear of them are bomb blast and videos issuing threat of attack, promoted by the government as the only source of information.”