Sheikh Zakzaky’s Son Wants Attorney-General Charged For Contempt Of Court
(AhlulBayt News Agency) -
Mohammad Zakzaky, the only surviving son of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky,
detained leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), has called on
the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee and the Nigerian Bar
Association (NBA) to impose sanctions on the Attorney-General of the
Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Malami Abubakar (SAN), for
gross misconduct.
This was contained in a statement signed
by Mr. Ibrahim Musa, President (Media Forum), IMN. AccordIng to the
statement, Mohammed's demand was made in two separate petitions, dated
28 February, and addressed to the two bodies. In the petitions, the
younger Zakzaky stated that the AGF has failed, as demanded by his
office, to enforce the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja that
ordered the release of his father and mother, Ibraheema.
“I fervently call upon the Nigerian Bar
Association/Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee to enforce and
uphold any punitive measures against the AGF, being the chief law
officer of the Federation and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, through
withdrawals of privileges otherwise due to him for gross misconduct
displayed by him, and to urgently act to secure the enforcement of the
rights of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and Malama Zeenat Ibraheem Zakzaky,”
he said.
Mohammad pointed out that Nigeria is under international treaty obligations to ensure the protection of the fundamental rights of all citizens. Specifically, he noted that the Federal Government is under international treaty obligations to ensure compliance with all relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, insisting that being a democratic one, the government should be guided by the Constitution and the rule of law.
He explained that his parents approached the Federal High Court, seeking to enforce their fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, human dignity, private and family life and private property. These, he said, are pursuant to sections 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41 and 46(1) & (2) of the Nigerian Constitution and articles 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
He informed the NBA and the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee that the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in his parents' favor and consequently ordered their release. But rather than comply with the ruling, the AGF has continued to detain them. He branded the AGF's action as gross misconduct, given that it is in defiance of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction and the country's constitution.
Last week, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), lead counsel to Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife, petitioned the acting President, Mr. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) to demand the immediate release of the IMN leader and his wife as ordered by the Federal High Court on December 2, 2016.
Mohammad pointed out that Nigeria is under international treaty obligations to ensure the protection of the fundamental rights of all citizens. Specifically, he noted that the Federal Government is under international treaty obligations to ensure compliance with all relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, insisting that being a democratic one, the government should be guided by the Constitution and the rule of law.
He explained that his parents approached the Federal High Court, seeking to enforce their fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, human dignity, private and family life and private property. These, he said, are pursuant to sections 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41 and 46(1) & (2) of the Nigerian Constitution and articles 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
He informed the NBA and the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee that the Federal High Court in Abuja ruled in his parents' favor and consequently ordered their release. But rather than comply with the ruling, the AGF has continued to detain them. He branded the AGF's action as gross misconduct, given that it is in defiance of an order of a court of competent jurisdiction and the country's constitution.
Last week, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), lead counsel to Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife, petitioned the acting President, Mr. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) to demand the immediate release of the IMN leader and his wife as ordered by the Federal High Court on December 2, 2016.
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