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| El-Zakzaky has been in DSS detention since 2015. |
First of all I am not a Muslim, neither am I supporter of law breakers. Any individual or group who stands against constituted authority should by all means be deciplined according to the dictates of the laws of the land. But what can one say about a Government who flagrantly disobey the judgements of recognized courts? Who do we report them to?
This is the dilemma faced by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria also referred to as the Shiites who today, suffered further police brutality in their protest at the Unity Fountain in Nigeria's capital Abuja. The group were protesting the continued detention of their leader, Mr. Ibrahim El-Zakzaky since 2015.
Mr. El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, have been in detention since a violent confrontation between his IMN group and the Nigerian army in Kaduna.
On December 12, 2015, armed soldiers clashed with the members of the Shiite sect 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 with more than 300 followers of Mr. El-Zakzaky alegedly killed in the confrontation.
It is a common practice in law, that he who alleges must prove his claim in the court of competent jurisdiction. So whatever the crimes Mr. El-Zakzaky may have allegedly committed to warrant his arrest, only a court of law can pronounce him guilty. But for almost three years in detention, no formal charges have been brought against this man. The argument by the DSS that he is being held for his own protection does not hold water.
In December 2016, A federal High Court ordered the release of Mr. El Zakzaky from DSS detention into police custody within 45 days for proper prosecution. Mr. El Zakzaky and his wife were also to be paid the sum of 50 million Naira in compensation for unlawful detention. The judge announced that the justification of "holding him for his own protection" is not sufficient.
Several months later, that judgment is yet to be obeyed. And this is not the only instance that the Buhari led administration has failed to honour a court judgment. The case of Nigeria's former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki readily comes to mind. But that is a matter for another day.
Few days ago, the same police force, that attacked and forcefully stops a peaceful procession, bullied innocent citizens while providing "security" for another Islamic group procession round the same Unity Fountain. What type of message are they sending to the society? If the Shiite protest was disbanded on the basis of a security concern, why was the former allowed? Is it then not obvious that there is more to this than meet the eye? It is obvious that the security forces are playing double standards.
The Shiites overtime have shown they won't be deterred by tear gas, bullets, massacres and shallow graves. A man, woman, or child who has nothing to lose & is willing to put everything on the line, needs to be engaged strategically with wisdom/tact. Brutal force will only escalate the issue.
It is often said, that if one forgets his destination, he should never forget where he is coming from. One should not forget that the much dreaded Boko Haram sect began in similar manner back in Maiduguri many years ago. One should not forget that the much dreaded Boko Haram sect began in similar manner back in Maiduguri many years ago. This is an issue the Government must handle with care. Government needs to be circumspect not reactive
Mr. El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, have been in detention since a violent confrontation between his IMN group and the Nigerian army in Kaduna.
On December 12, 2015, armed soldiers clashed with the members of the Shiite sect 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 with more than 300 followers of Mr. El-Zakzaky alegedly killed in the confrontation.
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| One of the buildings affected by a stray bullet in the clash between police and the Shiites at the Unity Fountain, Abuja. |
It is a common practice in law, that he who alleges must prove his claim in the court of competent jurisdiction. So whatever the crimes Mr. El-Zakzaky may have allegedly committed to warrant his arrest, only a court of law can pronounce him guilty. But for almost three years in detention, no formal charges have been brought against this man. The argument by the DSS that he is being held for his own protection does not hold water.
In December 2016, A federal High Court ordered the release of Mr. El Zakzaky from DSS detention into police custody within 45 days for proper prosecution. Mr. El Zakzaky and his wife were also to be paid the sum of 50 million Naira in compensation for unlawful detention. The judge announced that the justification of "holding him for his own protection" is not sufficient.
Several months later, that judgment is yet to be obeyed. And this is not the only instance that the Buhari led administration has failed to honour a court judgment. The case of Nigeria's former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki readily comes to mind. But that is a matter for another day.
Few days ago, the same police force, that attacked and forcefully stops a peaceful procession, bullied innocent citizens while providing "security" for another Islamic group procession round the same Unity Fountain. What type of message are they sending to the society? If the Shiite protest was disbanded on the basis of a security concern, why was the former allowed? Is it then not obvious that there is more to this than meet the eye? It is obvious that the security forces are playing double standards.
The Shiites overtime have shown they won't be deterred by tear gas, bullets, massacres and shallow graves. A man, woman, or child who has nothing to lose & is willing to put everything on the line, needs to be engaged strategically with wisdom/tact. Brutal force will only escalate the issue.
It is often said, that if one forgets his destination, he should never forget where he is coming from. One should not forget that the much dreaded Boko Haram sect began in similar manner back in Maiduguri many years ago. One should not forget that the much dreaded Boko Haram sect began in similar manner back in Maiduguri many years ago. This is an issue the Government must handle with care. Government needs to be circumspect not reactive
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