Free Zakzaky on health grounds says Falana

Nigeria’s government has been urged to order the release of a pro-Iranian Shiite Muslim group leader, who has been in custody for nearly two years since clashes with soldiers.

Ibrahim Zakzaky, who heads the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, and his wife should be freed “on health grounds”, lawyer Femi Falana said in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari.

The cleric lost the sight in his left eye during two days of unrest in the northern city of Zaria in December 2015 in which soldiers allegedly killed more than 300 IMN members. Now he risks losing the sight in his right eye “sequel to the brutal treatment meted out to him by the armed soldiers”, Falana wrote.

Zakzaky’s wife, Zainab, was said to be in a “far worse” state, according to the lawyer, who said he visited the couple in secret police detention in Abuja a few days ago.

Zakzaky has long been at loggerheads with Nigeria’s secular authorities because of his repeated call for an Iranian-style Islamic revolution in Nigeria. 
 

UCJ, UNILORIN.