Zakzaky’s Only Surviving Son Writes NBA, Slams AGF

The only surviving son of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Muhammad Ibrahim Zakzaky, has again written reminder letters to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee.

In the letter, he drew their attention to the plight of his parents, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and Malama Zeenat Ibraheem Zakzaky, and called on them to also help in enforcing the fundamental rights of the duo.

He also asked NBA to uphold punitive measures against the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Malami Abubakar, SAN, for failing to enforce a valid judgement of a competent court setting them free.

Muhammad, had in February this year, petitioned the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over what he described as the “gross misconduct” displayed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of justice, Malami Abubakar, SAN.

He berated Malami for failing in his duty to enforce the judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja that ordered the release of his parents.

This reminder letter is to remind the legal bodies that his parents remain unjustifiably in detention and AGF continues to enjoy privileges as a Senior Advocate when he has continued to grossly violate several court orders and judgements.

He therefore called on the legal bodies to apply appropriate sanctions and punitive measures against the AGF for disobeying orders of the court, while being additionally a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

“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.

He noted that Nigeria being a signatory to several international treaties on Human Rights, is under obligations to ensure that fundamental rights of all citizens are guaranteed and protected. 

He specifically mentioned that the government is under international treaty obligations to ensure compliance with all relevant provisions of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights. 

He insisted that the since the government claims to be a democracy, they should be ruled by the Constitution and the rule of law.

Muhammad recounted how his parents had approach the Federal High Court to seek for the enforcement of their fundamental rights to life, personal liberty, dignity of the human person, right to private and family life and private property pursuant to sections 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 40, 41 and 46(1) & (2) of the constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and articles 4, 5, 6, 11 and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights (ratification and enforcement) act lfn 2010 and order 11, order xi and xii of the fundamental rights (enforcement procedure) rules, 2009.

He explained to both the NBA and the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee that the Federal High Court in Abuja had given judgment in their favour and consequently ordered for their release. 

The IMN leader’s son said that rather than comply with the ruling, the AGF and Minister of Justice, who is also a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has continued to illegally detain his parents.

He described the action as “gross misconduct,” being contrary to an order of a court of competent jurisdiction and in contradiction to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Find attached the first letter to NBA dated and received on February 28, 2017:

Submitted for publication by Free Zakzaky Campaign Committee

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