Nigerian Human Rights Advocate Urges Zakzaky’s Release
KABUL: (MEP) A Nigerian human rights lawyer, Femi Falana has requested the State Security Service on Tuesday for the immediate and unconditional release of senior Shia cleric and leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim al-Zakzaky.
Mr. El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat have been in detention since December last year, after a violent clash between members of his sect and the Nigerian army.
The clergyman is said to have been charged with “criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbances.”
“As a result of the brutal attack, Sheikh Zakzaky lost his left eye while doctors are currently battling to save the right one,” said Mr. Falana.
He said “even though our clients have not been told that they breached any law, they have been denied access to their lawyers, personal physicians, and family members for over three months.”
“Our clients were only permitted to meet with us last Friday after several requests made by us had been turned down without any legal basis,” Falana added.
On December 12, armed soldiers clashed with members of the sect at Zaria, Kaduna, after the latter allegedly blocked the passage of the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai.
The next day, the soldiers returned to unleash more violence on the sect members.
