Politics Today

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has asked the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs to formalise its request for the release of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (also known as Shi’ites), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.

El-Zakzaky and some members of the group have been in detention after his group clashed with troops in the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Zaria in December 2015.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the AGF on Media and Publicity, Salihu Isah, said on Thursday that Malami gave the advice on how to press for the detainees’ release during a visit to him on Tuesday by a delegation of NSCIA put together by its National President and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.

The NSCIA 10-man delegation, led by Prof. Daud Noibi, who is also the Chairman of the NSCIA Contact Committee, was said to have requested the AGF to intervene in the release of El-Zakzaky and how injured members of his group could be given adequate medical attention.

The delegation also sought the AGF’s intervention so that members of the group who died in the clash could be given befitting burial.

But the AGF was said to have enjoined the council to formalise its demands to the Federal Government because of the sensitivity of the issue.

The AGF said, “I will do whatever I can within the confines of the law to see how an amicable resolution can be achieved.

“So when your demands is formalised, I will treat and facilitate it to the appropriate quarters accordingly.”

The AGF also said though he would not engage in trading blame, but however, said it was necessary for clerics to teach their followers good conduct and how to co-exist with their neighbours.

He said, “As Muslims, we know what is obtainable in Islam especially in the area of rights, individual’s rights, especially rights of way.

“As Muslims, we have a collective responsibility to create awareness through our preaching on tolerance and compliance according to the dictates of Islam.”

Malami described the clash between the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army in Zaria as unfortunate and sad.

He said the incident was an avoidable one, stressing that it was important to investigate it to avert a reccurrence in the future.

Speaking earlier, Noibi told the AGF that when the Army/Shi’ites clash occurred, the council quickly summoned a meeting presided over by the Sultan of Sokoto, with a view to seeking peace between the warring parties.

He requested that the composition of the Commission of Inquiry to be set up by the Federal Government to include representatives of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, among others.

He said, “No doubt, you are aware of the seriousness of the issue that brought us– that is the clash between Shi’ites and the Army. When it happened, the Council called a meeting, presided over by the Sultan, because it is the duty of the Council to meet stakeholders to have amicable settlement.

“We have met the Army Chief, the Inspector General of Police and others, and now it is your turn as Minister of Justice.

“We want to request that those injured in the clash should be given adequate medical attention, while those who are dead should be released to their families for proper burials.”

Other members of the delegation were the National Secretary of the Council, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Malam Yunus Ustaz (SAN), Prof. Dahiru Yahaya, Mallam Musemil Hanga, Prof. Ibrahim Suleiman, Alhaji Ibrahim Jega, Malam Ishaq Sanni, Imam Ahmad, a former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abubakar Tsav (retd.), and Mallam Yusuf Ali (SAN).

Punch