TheCable

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has asked the Department of State Services (DSS) to allow Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, its leader, to address the public on whether or not he chose to remain in custody.

The group while reacting to DSS’ claim that El-Zakzaky, Sambo Dasuki, former national security adviser, chose to remain in its custody because it is taking good care of them.

While giving an account of the legal procedures that have ensued to secure the Islamic leader’s release, the group said the DSS had become “machinery for implementing the whims and caprices of suppressive leaders” instead of acting in the interest of the country.

“The attention of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria has been drawn to a recent statement issued by the public relations officer of the DSS, Peter Afunanya, misdirecting the public into believing that the illegal detention of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) and Omoyele Sowore was based on their choices,” it said in a statement signed by Ibrahim Musa, one of its leaders.

“In response to this act of mischief and deliberate blackmail, the movement hereby wishes to put the points straight as regards the detention of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky. We outrightly refute this false and reckless accusation against the illegally detained leader of the Islamic Movement Sheikh Zakzaky.

“He was continuously held in illegal detention by the DSS, disallowed access to medical treatment and fed poison. This gave birth to a regime of peaceful protests within and outside Nigeria calling on Nigerian government to respect the court and release the revered leader. Several peaceful protesters were killed in their hundreds by police, army and DSS on different occasions on the streets of Nigeria.

“This act of disregard to law and order grossly affected the image of the Buhari regime which is tagged as tyrannical and undemocratic by a lot of concerned individuals, groups and governments.

“In trying to justify the continued illegal detention of the Sheikh, the government concocted cropped up charges and instituted a new case against Sheikh Zakzaky (H) in a Kaduna High court. The charges were the same made against Islamic movement members out of which almost about a hundred were earlier discharged and acquitted by the Kaduna High Court.

“The revered Sheikh was then transferred from Abuja DSS detention facility to Kaduna DSS detention facility using it as alibi for the continued illegal detention.

“Due to the Sheikh’s deteriorating health condition as confirmed by government doctors, the Kaduna High Court.”

It also challenged the DSS to prove the IMN wrong “by simply respecting and obeying court orders” rather than attempt to “justify the illegal detention.”

“We challenge the DSS to allow the Sheikh to speak to the public on whether he chose to stay with them or not. It is pure deceit for them to speak on his behalf! We also challenge the DSS to prove us wrong by simply respecting and obeying court orders and judgment and not the whims of those in authority by simply releasing those the courts have ordered to be released,” it said.

“The level of disregard to law and order the DSS is seen to have attained is totally alien to their rules of engagement and to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It is therefore pertinent that fairness and justice be allowed to reign and this can only be attained through obedience to law and order.”