El Zakzaky: MBYA Appeals To EU

By Uche Mbah

The Middle-Belt Youth Assembly, MBYA, has called on the European Union to intercede in compelling President Muhammadu Buhari, to order security agencies to release the passports of the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Malama Zeenat.

The group, Wednesday, warned that if this is not done,  his supporters may soon start another round of protests.

Justice Gideon Kurada of a Kaduna State High Court had, earlier this year, discharged and acquitted El-Zakzaky and Zeenat.

The Publicity Secretary of MBYA, Yunana Kambai, noted that it has been four months since they were acquitted by security agencies.

“It has been over four months since the leader of the IMN, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, and his wife were acquitted and discharged by the Kaduna State High Court, after spending almost six years in illegal detention.

“Now that the couple has been acquitted of all charges filed against them by the Kaduna State Government, they should be allowed to attend to their health wherever they choose to go without any undue frustration. But on the contrary, the couple’s passports and other documents that will allow them to travel are reportedly withheld.

“The deterioration in the couple’s health condition is so glaring as the Sheikh could be seen limping and his wife confined to a wheelchair as they exited the court premises recently.

“If anything, the Government should, for the good of the nation, maintain the fresh breath of air on the streets of Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and other cities considering the security crisis ravaging the country; it is therefore unwise of the government to add yet another.

“One thing is certain, if Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky is not allowed to attend to his health; those streets will soon be littered with his unrelenting, indefatigable followers.

“We call on the European Union to help facilitate this, as we seriously fear the return of protests in Abuja and other major cities.

“We call on the EU as a matter of urgency to ask Nigerian government to release the passports of the couple so that they can attend to their health. Injustice to one is injustice to all.”