A human right activist and a lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana has criticised the Federal government of Nigeria over its refusal to free the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN], Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky in line with the pledge made by President Muhammadu Buhari to respect the rule of law in his New Year message on Wednesday.
According to TheCable, the call was contained in a letter addressed to the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, dated January 2 where the President promised that his government’s actions at all times would be governed by the rule of law.
Restating the court orders granting bailto El-Zakzaky, Falana said the AGF had given contradictory reasons to justifythe continued detention of the IMN leader.
“In view of the recent decision of thefederal government to comply with all court orders we have the instructions ofour clients to request you to ensure compliance with the valid and subsistingorders of the federal high court and Kaduna state high court concerning themwhich are set out hereunder,” Falana said.
Adding that, “on December 2, 2016, thefederal high court presided over by the Honourable Justice G. O. Kolawole (nowof the Court of Appeal) declared illegal and unconstitutional the arrest anddetention of Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Hajia Zeinat El-Zakzakyby armed soldiers.
“Consequently, the Court awarded them N50 million damages for their illegaldetention, ordered the state security service to release them fromcustody forthwith and provide them with a house since the Nigerian Army hadburnt down and demolished their house in Zaria, Kaduna State.
“Without any legal basis whatsoever thefederal government refused to comply with the aforesaid court orders.Curiously, the contemptuous acts of the federal government were publiclydefended by your good self and some other high ranking officials of the Buhariadministration.”
Falana in December demanded therelease of El-Zakzaky while reacting to the release ofOmoyele Sowore, convener of Revolution Now Movement.
The Department of State Services (DSS) hadrefused to release Sowore despite a court order, until the AGF gave a directiveto that effect.
In his letter, Falana wrote: “Followingthe release of Mr. Omoyele Sowore and Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) from illegalcustody last week you were reported to have said that our clients could only bereleased by the Kaduna State government.
“With respect, your position has failed totake cognizance of the fact that your office, the Presidency and the state security service had, up till lastmonth, repeatedly given contradictory reasons to justify the disobedience ofthe aforesaid court orders for the release of our clients.
“In view of the foregoing, we urge you touse your good offices to review your position and ensure the immediate and unconditionalcompliance with the valid and subsisting orders of the federal high court andthe Kaduna State High Court concerning our clients. This request is in linewith the new policy of the Buhari administration to operate under the Rule ofLaw.”
El-Zakzaky and his wife have been indetention since 2015 when some of his followers clashed with soldiers in Zaria,Kaduna state.
