Less than 48 hours after he was discharged by a High Court of charges of culpable homicide, the Kaduna State Government has filed fresh charges against the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
The fresh charges bother on terrorism and treasonable felony against the state and federal government.
It will be recalled that Justice Gideon Kurada had on Wednesday discharged El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat from the eight charges pressed against them by the state government for lack of merit.
However, not satisfied with the ruling, the state government on Thursday filed a fresh seven charges against the IMN leader at the Federal High Court.
The state Director of Public Prosecution, Daris Bayero, said that with the fresh charges, the court will consequently issue an order for the arrest of El-Zakzaky for him to answer the charges.
He further explained that some of the actions of the IMN leader upon which he is being charged with fresh allegations date back before 2015.
Spokesman of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Abdullah Muhammed, yesterday debunked reports that El-Zakzaky’s wife, Zeenat, had been flown out of the country.
He said that Zeenat was still in the country even though she was very sick.
El-Zakzaky’s son, Mohammed, in a statement issued yesterday and made available to The Nation in Abuja, expressed gratitude to Allah and all those that stood by them during the ordeal that lasted for almost six years.
He said: “As you are aware, yesterday my father Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and Mother Zeenat Ibraheem have recently regained their freedom after the Kaduna State High Court discharged and acquitted them of all charges filed by the current Kaduna State administration.
“I along with our entire family wish to especially thank those men, women and children who stood firm in the face of injustice, risking life and limb to demand justice and freedom for them, both inside and outside this country.
“Of special note are the heroes who marched daily in Abuja non-stop for five years; a monumental act of sacrifice seldom heard of and certainly unprecedented in the history of Nigeria.
“I wish to express our gratitude to human rights organisations who continued to help provide us with a voice during this difficult time.
“Of special note Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and especially The Islamic Human Rights Commission for ensuring that the atrocities carried out in December 2015 could not be simply covered up.
“We hail the efforts of free media and those journalists whose commitment to the truth shone even in the face of censorship, threats and often lethal violence.
‘We commend your steadfastness and bravery and wish to thank you for all those times you refused to turn a blind eye to tyranny, discrimination and other crimes being committed in the name of the state.
“Last but certainly not least, I wish to thank my parents’ competent and loyal legal team that was ably led by Chief Femi Falana, SAN, who despite all the malicious manoeuvres to delay, manipulate and obstruct judicial due process, the legal team persevered and ultimately prevailed.
“We will be eternally grateful for your efforts”
THE NATION
