An Abuja Federal High Court, has directed the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the Director of the Department of State Services, DSS, Lawal Daura to obey its order granting release to the leader of Shi’ite movement, Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife, Malama Zeenat or face jail terms.
El-Zakzaky has been in detention since December 2015, after members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, also known as Shi’ite clashed with the Army in Zaria, Kaduna State.
In December 2016, the court ordered the DSS to free El-Zakzaky and his wife but the Shi’ite leader has continued to languish in custody.
The court had also ordered a compensation which was to be paid within 40 days from the day the judgment was delivered.
However, in a notice of consequence of disobedience to court order, the Federal High court warned the listed officials to release El-Zakzaky or face contempt of court charges which is liable to jail term.
The notice sent to the trio, reads in part: “Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the order of the Federal High Court of Justice Abuja, delivered on the 2nd December, 2016, which ordered you to release the Applicants in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/281/2016 and its sister case Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/282/2016 within forty (40) days, inter alia you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”
Frowning at the refusal to release the Shi’ite leader, the court said, “you are yet to comply with the lawful order of this honourable court by refusing to release the following persons namely: Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and Malama Zeenat Ibrahim, in your custody. You are hereby directed to comply with the court order forthwith or you will be guilty of contempt of court.”
See attachment of notice below…
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