Shiites seek urgent release of El-Zakzaky after court order

Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shiites have asked the Federal Government to immediately release their leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky to get medical attention abroad for his deteriorating health.

This followed a recent judgment by a Federal High Court which ordered the government to release El-Zakzaky.The group said: “We welcome this historic judgment that has vindicated our position since the brutal attack on our leaders, members and structures last
December, which is a clear infringement of our fundamental human rights as guaranteed by the law.”

A statement by the spokesman, Mallam Ibrahim Musa said: “We are calling on the authorities holding Sheikh El-Zakzaky and his wife that they must expedite action to allow them access to their doctors, lawyers and any other person they so wish to see without hindrance.

“They must also be allowed to go wherever they so wish as free people so that they can attend to their medical needs now that the court has set them free.”

Commending the Federal High Court, Abuja judgment, he stated: “The judge showed a full grasp of all the issues at stake when he said he views the whole matter as religious intolerance, where a majority Sunnah is oppressing a minority Shi’ah.”

Musa further stressed: “This case pertained to the issues of liberty, freedom and human rights of Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife. The landmark judgment obtained will however certainly impact on the numerous others presently ongoing as well as all other matters yet to be clarified such as the crime of mass grave that government officials disclosed earlier.”

He continued: “ It remains to be seen how the Nigerian government is going to react to this judgment. We are not unmindful of the penchant of this government to disregard court orders on spurious excuses. We will continue our peaceful and patient campaign until justice is done in its entirety.”