Shiites dismiss FG’s reason for detaining their leader

The spokesman of the sect, Ibrahim Musa, slammed the Minister of foreign affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama for reportedly lying to the international community.

Onyeama had earlier said the Federal Government detained Zakzaky because it is still studying the Judicial Commission of Inquiry (JCI) set up by Kaduna State government.

According to Musa, “We believe his illegal detention has nothing to do with the Judicial Commission of Inquiry (JCI). He is not being detained by the JCI nor is he detained on its recommendation.

“In fact the JCI had to extend its period of sitting to seek ways for Mr. Zakzaky’s legal team to meet with him in detention. In fact, the JCI was even inaugurated while the Sheikh was already in detention.

“Sheikh Zakzaky is being detained by the presidency under the Department of State Service (DSS) and not by the JCI.”

Adding that “The DSS told the court that the Sheikh was under ‘protective custody’, and with his consent after refusing to allow his lawyers to receive regular briefs from him. Even though this statement is a blatant lie by those holding the Sheikh hostage, why didn’t the (Foreign Minister) echo it to the world’s press?

“The DSS told this to the court to dismiss the saying that the revered leader is being detained illegally without any charges. If his detention had anything to do with the JCI, the DSS would have told that to the court. But it didn’t because his detention had nothing to do with the JCI.”

“If Sheikh Zakzaky is released now, will that tamper with their study of JCI report? We believe it will not. It will only show the world their intent in doing justice in the case of Zaria massacre.”

An Abuja High Court on Monday, August 29, 2016, rejected an application seeking the release of El-Zakzaky from detention.