Sheikh Zakzaky drags Federal Government to Court, Demands N3bn Compensation

Leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, has dragged the Nigerian Army and the federal government to a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Zakzaky whose has been detained by the government since December 12, 2015, when soldiers attacked his residence and the place of worship of his Shi’ite group, killing over 347 people, is asking the court for his unconditional release from detention and a compensation of N3 billion.

Festus Okoye, his lawyer, told journalists in Kaduna on Wednesday that the suit was filed on April 12.

In the suit, the Shi’ite leader is asking the court to enforce his right to life, personal liberty, freedom of movement, dignity of the human person and right to private and family life.

Apart from the federal government and the army, those included in the suit are: Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai, Director-General, DSS, Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney General of the Federation.

Members of his legal team include, Femi Falana (SAN), Festus Okoye and Maxwell Kyon

“Our Client is also seeking an order of the court to compel the respondents jointly and severally to pay to him the sum of N3 billion as general damages for the illegal violation of his fundamental rights to life, dignity of his person, fair hearing, privacy and private property.

“The applicant is seeking a declaration that the violent invasion of his private residence at No 1 Wali road, Gyallessu, Zaria in Kaduna State on December 14, 2015 is a flagrant violation of his fundamental rights to privacy and private property as guaranteed‎ by the Constitution.

“A declaration that shooting of the applicant by armed soldiers who are members of the 1st respondent on Sunday, December 14, 2015 at his residence is illegal and unconstitutional.

“A declaration that the cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment meted to the applicant by armed soldiers who are members of the 1st respondent is a flagrant violation of his fundamental right to dignity of human person as guaranteed by the Constitution.”

The sheikh is also asking the court to rule the killing of his three children namely: Hameed Ibrahim (18), Ali Haidar Ibraheem (16), and Humaid Ibraheem (14) as illegal and unconstitutional.