Amnesty International warns FG over El-Zakzaky as 45-day deadline ends

Amnesty International says Zakzaky's continued detention is unlawful and unacceptable.

Amnesty International has warned the Nigerian government to obey court order releasing Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) from detention.
In a release by the group, the interim director, Makmid Kamara said that the 45-day deadline that the human rights body has given the government as elapsed without any proof that the government is ready to make amends.

Kamara said: “The 45 day deadline given for their release expires today. If the government deliberately disregards the orders of its own courts, it will demonstrate a flagrant – and dangerous – contempt for the rule of law.

“El-Zakzaky is being unlawfully detained. This might be part of a wider effort to cover up the gruesome crimes committed by members of the security forces in Zaria in December 2015 that left hundreds dead.”

El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenah Ibraheem have been in detention without charge for more than a year after his supporters clashed with the Nigerian Army in Kaduna state.

Hundreds of men, women and children were reportedly killed in the clash.

Amnesty International says its research showed that more than 350 IMN members were killed by security forces between 12 and 14 December 2015 in Zaria, Kaduna state.

Meanwhile, IMN has alleged that President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government is not ready to release El- Zakzaky.

Recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja gave the federal government a 45 days period to release the Shiite leader, who has been in custody since December, 2015.