Garba Shehu has become power drunk – Lawyer says

Falana’s comment is coming on the heels of a statement made by Shehu during a press briefing at the State House.

The President’s spokesman told newsmen that the Shiite sect leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky was still held in custody for his safety.

Shehu made the comment while trying to explain to State House correspondents, why El-Zakaky was still being held, despite the fact that he has been granted bail by a court.

He also said that El-Zakzaky is free to leave at any time, adding that he is in the company of his wife and children.

Reacting to Shehu’s comment, Falana said “In a reckless demonstration of official impunity, Mr Garba Shehu, the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity purportedly issued a statement yesterday on behalf of the presidency to justify the illegal detention of Sheikh Ibraheem Elzakzaky and his wife, Hajia Ibraheema Elzakzaky,” Daily Post reports.

“In the incendiary statement, Mr Shehu claimed that the valid and subsisting order of the federal high court made on December 2, 2016 would not be obeyed by the federal government on the dubious ground that the Sheikh is in ‘protective custody’ while the justification for holding the wife is that she is taking good care of her husband in the illegal custody,” he added.

Falana also said “Even under the neo-tarzanist Buhari/Idiagbon military junta, court orders which directed that victims of the obnoxious Detention of Persons Decree No 2 of 1984 be released from illegal custody were complied with. But under a democratic government, Mr Shehu wants Nigerians to believe that the El-Zakzakys are held in ‘protective custody’ after the federal high court had declared such detention illegal and unconstitutional. Or has Mr Shehu suddenly become so power drunk to the extent that he can conveniently set aside the judgment of the federal high court?

“Since neither President Mohammadu Buhari nor Acting President Yemi Osinbajo could have authorised the contemptuous statement issued on behalf of the presidency Mr Shehu Garba should be called to order and restrained from further exposing the Federal Republic of Nigeria to ridicule before the comity of civilized nations.

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“However, since the federal government continues to proclaim loudly that it operates under the rule of law it cannot be permitted to treat court orders with disdain. To that extent, El-zakzaky and his wife must be released from the illegal custody of the State Security Service since the federal high court has dismissed the official claim that they are held in ‘protective custody.”

Ibrahim El-Zakzaky was arrested after members of the Shiite sect allegedly attempted to assassinate the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.