Amnesty Int’l says Buhari’s refusal to free Zakzaky shows contempt for rule of law

A global human rights group, Amnesty International (AI) has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to comply with the court order on the release of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of Shiite sect in Nigeria and his wife, Malama Zeatudden.

Monday marks the end of the 45-days period within which the Federal Government was ordered to unconditionally release both individuals.

AI said that the Nigerian government must immediately release the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) El-Zakzaky and his wife from detention, adding that “if the government deliberately disregards the orders of its own courts, it will demonstrate a flagrant and dangerous contempt for the rule of law.

A Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Gabriel Kolawole had on December 2, 2016 ordered the unconditional release of El-Zakzaky and his wife from detention within 45 days. It also ordered the Federal Government to provide a new accommodation for El-Zakzaky in Zaria or any northern town of his choice and awarded the Nigerian Shiite leader and his wife N50million as general damages.

However, the Federal Government is yet to obey the court order.

In his reaction to this development, Makmid Kamara, Interim Director of Amnesty International Nigeria said, “The 45 day deadline given for their release expires today. If the government deliberately disregards the orders of its own courts, it will demonstrate a flagrant – and dangerous – contempt for the rule of law.

“El-Zakzaky is being unlawfully detained. This might be part of a wider effort to cover up the gruesome crimes committed by members of the security forces in Zaria in December 2015 that left hundreds dead.”

Read also: CAN says Buhari’s economic policies strangulating Nigerians

The body also called on the government to also release other IMN supporters arrested during the same period as Mr. El-Zakzaky and his wife, who are still in detention.

El-Zakzaky and his wife have been in detention for over a year after a clash ensued between his followers and the Nigerian military in which soldiers allegedly killed hundreds of men, women and children belonging to the group.

The Nigerian authorities are claiming that they are being held in “protective custody”.

Critics of the government are quick to note that this in not the first time President Buhari’s administration will disregard court orders. The order of different courts for the release of Sambo Dasuki, former National Security Adviser (NSA) and that of Nnamdi Kanu, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, were never heeded to by this government.

 

 

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