Protests over release of El-Zakzaky, group wants judge probed

Aggrieved protesters in their numbers on Monday stormed the premises of the Federal High Court, Abuja, demonstrating against the judgement of the court which ordered the unrestricted release of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky from custody.

They also called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate Justice Kolawole who gave the order.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole, had on December 1, while delivering judgement on a Fundamental Human Rights suit, filed by Mr El-Zakzaky challenging his arrest and continued detention by the Department of State Service (DSS), ruled that the Islamic leader should be released unconditionally within 45 days.

The Shi’ite leader, had been in detention since December 14, 2015, after a bloody clash between members of the sect and soldiers attached to the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai, at Zaria, Kaduna State.

But unhappy with the court ruling, the protesters under the banner, Coalition on Good Governance and Change Initiative (CGGCI) and other Civil Society groups, besieged the Abuja Federal High Court, accusing Justice Kolawole of giving the judgement “without recourse to the consequences that this dangerous precedence would have on law enforcement, security, anti-terror fight, terrorism, extremism and secessionist movements in Nigeria.”

Read also: Release El-Zakzaky now, and pay him N50m, Court orders FG

The group’s national president, Comrade Okpokwu Ogenyi, who described the judgement as ridiculous said, “Judiciary has dealt a fresh blow to the future of Nigeria by legalising terrorism while leaving the rest of us at risk of losing our lives.”

He wondered why “someone who poses grave security risk to the society through his extreme brand of foreign backed radicalization program in the name of religion,” would be released on bail.

The group therefore demanded that Justice Kolawole be investigated by the National Judicial Council (NJC) for ordering that a “dangerous fanatic and demagogue to be returned to the streets to resume brainwashing, radicalising and militarising vulnerable youths in the population.”
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