El-Zakzaky Being Held ‘On His Own Will, Benefit’ – DSS
Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, Shi’ites leader[/caption]
The leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria otherwise known as Shi’ites, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, is being held “at his own will and for his benefit,” the Department of State Security (DSS), has claimed.
Counsel to the DSS, Tijjani Gazali, told journalists at the federal high court in Abuja on Tuesday, that the Shi’ite leader was in need of protection as he is vulnerable, but to what, he did not say.
“He need not give his consent, but the point is he remains vulnerable and is under protective custody and the job of the DSS is to protect every Nigerian,” Gazali said.
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However, lawyer to the El-Zakzaky, Festus Okoye, argued that the claim of the DSS, was untrue as his client was being held against his will with his fundamental human rights breached by the continued detention.
“They told us that he is being held at his own will, but we are yet to hear that from him. So until we consult him and he says that then we can confirm it,” Okoye said.
El-Zakzaky had dragged the Federal Government to court alleging breach against his fundamental rights.
Amongst the reliefs he is seeking is his immediate release and N2 billion as compensation for damages inflicted on him and his adherents.
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Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court Abuja adjourned the suit to July 13.
The Shi’ites clashed with the army in December, 2015 in what Amnesty has slammed while revealing over 300 unmarked graves believed to be those of Shi’ites secretly buried after the attack on their compound in Zaria, Kaduna state.
