The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,
Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), said on Friday that the leader of the
Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his
wife, Zeenat, were not released because they were being prosecuted
by a state government.
He said this in a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Umar Gwandu,
who quoted him as speaking to the BBC Hausa and the Hausa Service
of the Voice of America.
Explaining why El-Zakzaky and his wife were not released like
Dasuki and Sowore, Malami said, “The Federal Government does not
interfere with the cases that are being prosecuted by a state
government.
“El-Zakzaky and his wife are being prosecuted by the Kaduna
State government on charges of murder.”
He, however, said that the release of the Sahara Reporters
publisher, Omoyele Sowore, and a former National Security Adviser,
Sambo Dasuki, from detention by the Federal Government was based on
compassionate grounds.
Sowore and Dasuki’s release came after about four years of
government disobeying at least five separate court orders granting
bail to the ex-NSA, and two orders granting bail to Sowore in
September and November 2019.
Malami maintained that their release was not due to any domestic
or international pressure.
He said, “The only reasons for the release of Omoyele Sowore and
Sambo Dasuki revolved around our commitment to the rule of law,
obedience to court orders and compassionate grounds.
“It is important to understand the fact that as far as the law
is concerned and in relation to the Nigerian justice system, one
has multiple options after a court has ruled on a matter.”
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