High Court Orders for Release of Sheikh Zakzaky Within 45 Days

During its sitting in Abuja today the 2nd of Dec. 2016, the Federal High Court, presided by Justice Gabriel Kolawale has ordered for the release of the Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky who was arrested December 2015. Hundreds of people were killed by Military during the December attack on the residence of Sheikh Zakzaky.

lawyer to Sheikh Zakzaky, Femi Falana, said the court should declare that the continued detention of his client without charging him, was unlawful. Delivering the judgement, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, rejected the submission of the counsel to the State Security Service, Tijjani Gazali, that Mr. El-Zakzaky was kept in protective custody of the SSS. He ordered the Federal Government to provide an accommodation for El-Zakzaky, his wife and family members within Kaduna State or any part of the northern region.

Mr. Kolawole said the government should within 45 days release the applicant and his family to the police, who shall within 24 hours take them, guarded by escort, to a safe place.

He added that the SSS will pay a fine of N25 million each to Mr. El-Zakzaky and his wife, making N50 million.