(Tribune / Nigeria) — Leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has sued the Nigerian Army and Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai, claiming the sum of N3 billion as general and aggravated damages for his illegal detention and violation of his fundamental rights.
Ibrahim Yaqoub El Zakzaky is pictured bleeding as a result of the clash between the Nigerian army and his followers
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, on Wednesday, one of the IMN’s counsel, Mr Festus Okoye, disclosed that when they met with the leader of the Shi’ite, he directed them to file a suit challenging his continued detention and violation of rights.
He said the leader of the movement had no faith in the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Kaduna State government.
“His grouse was that the membership of the commission were mostly members that were antagonistic to the movement.
“The leader told us how can a person, who wrote a book against us and advocated that we should be killed and our schools destroyed, now be called upon to serve in a committee that will discuss the movement. How will that person be fair to the movement?” he queried.
It was based on his directive that the legal team decided to institute a suit against the Nigeria Army and the Chief of Army Staff before the Federal High Court in Abuja, on April 11.
Joined alongside the Army Chief as defendants in the suit are the Director-General State Security Service (SSS), Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the federation.
The suit is seeking an order to compel the above respondents jointly to pay their client the sum of N1billion as general damages and another N2 billion as aggravated damages for his illegal violation of his fundamental rights to life, dignity of his person, fair hearing, privacy and private property.
Meanwhile, the spiritual leader of the movement, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has reportedly lost his sight.
Speaking in a news conference in Kaduna, on Wednesday, one of his legal counsel, Mr Kyon Maxwell, disclosed that the leader of the Shi’ite had lost his left eye, while his right eye was severely damaged.
