(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.
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