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Politics › Ango Abdullahi: "Shi'ites Can Become Worse Than Boko Haram, Release El-Zakzaky" by Levant(op): 12:18pm On Jul 30, 2019

El-Zakzaky: Shi’ites can become worse than Boko Haram — Ango Abdullahi

*Tells Buhari to release IMN leader for peace to reign

Professor Ango Abdullahi, former Vice-Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the leader of the Northern Elders’ Forum (NEF) in this encounter speaks on the recent Shi’ites protests that claimed lives in Abuja and opined that the Federal Government is playing politics with the continued detention of the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, Sheik Ibraheem El Zakzaky because of Saudi Arabia. He blamed what he called the rubber stamp House of Representatives for not living up to expectation as the custodian of rule of law but supported the President by advising that El Zakzaky should not be released.

Nigeria has been going from one problem to the other: from herdsmen menace to banditry, kidnapping and just recently, the Shi’ites were in the news for protesting the continued detention of their leader. Innocent people lost their lives in the protest…

We have laws in this country. Nigerian citizens are to be treated within the ambit of the laws of this country. Innocent people are losing their lives and currently, what is happening with the Shi’ites is that they don’t seem to be treated as Nigerians. They have rights and their rights should be recognised and given to them. We have been watching this thing for a long time. Their matter has been in court for years and their leader has been granted bail for three, four, five years. Why are court rulings not being respected?

Of course, it is not only the Shi’ites who are denied their basic rights and fair hearing. Even Dasuki has been in detention after the court granted him bail to go for his medicals. They refused to release him. Are we now a lawless country? Why are we not obeying court orders?

The case of the Shi’ites is even different. It is a religious group. Why are they treated differently within the laws of Nigeria? These are the kind of things that produced a resistance group we have today as Boko Haram. When it started, they were not treated like human beings. Rather, they started killing them left, right and centre. Of course they organised themselves and started fighting back and they have been fighting back till today.

So, if they are not careful and they keep pushing these boys, they will have problem. These boys even have an ideology unlike Boko Haram which had none until much later when they linked up with other international groups. If they push these ones, I think they would be surprised. So, basically, the way they are treating them is wrong. They have rights. If they have misbehaved, they should be treated according to the laws of the country. There were court rulings, so many court rulings in their own case that are being ignored by government.

The federal government tried to explain why El-Zakzaky was not released after the court ordered so…

They have no explanation for this. They have no justification. This man was granted bail. Judgement was given against the government in terms of how they treated them. They were supposed to be given compensation but they decided that a man who was attacked in his house with his wife will be charged for committing arson outside. These are fabrications. Politically, I don’t know why their issues are being politicised. They are not the only Islamic sect in the country; they are not the only religious sect. So, why are they being treated differently from the laws of Nigeria?

What is it about El-Zakzaky that even Christians are saying, leave this man?

Is it not common sense? It is our laws that are being bastardized. The courts have made a pronouncement for his release, why is he not released? This is a country, where as far as I’m concerned, the rule of law doesn’t exist, because if it does, there is no reason anybody, government or otherwise should ignore court decisions.

Is there something else about this group that is making government afraid, something else people don’t know?

It is all about inter-sectarian rivalry and government has decided to be against them in favour of the sect that is against them. There are Islamic sects that are against the Shi’ites group and apparently these other groups have the ears of the authorities and that is why the authorities are virtually against Shi’ites because other sects are against them and that is very shameful.

Will proscribing the group bring peace?

It is a religious organisation that exists in every part of the world. The whole thing now is international. You know Iran is a Shi’ites country and Iran is not friendly with many countries around the world particularly Saudi Arabia, United States and so on. It is this international politics that is playing out here. But you cannot deny people their right to religion and worship. People should worship the way they want. What is this bitterness all about? To me, it is sheer bitterness.

The leader of the Shi’ites was my student in Ahmadu Bello University where he studied Economics. The Shi’ites sect in Islam has been in existence for over 1,000 years and there are Shi’ites groups around the world and countries that are virtually Shi’ites countries. Iran is one of them. Iraq is one of them. Syria is one of them. So, what is the problem?

To me, the authorities are clearly biased in favour of other Islamic sects.

But you are aware the House of Representatives supported the President’s action that El-Zakzaky should not be released?

The House of Representatives is supposed to be the custodian of the laws of this country. Should they deny people their rights? What is playing out is politics and I can understand that because the relationship between this government and the new National Assembly is different from that of the other assembly. This is a rubber-stamp National Assembly. It is up to them to manage the country as they wish but they should also be prepared for the consequences.

Around this time in 1966, the problem that led to the civil war was building up. Today, we have all manner of things happening; kidnapping, banditry, herdsmen menace and people are beginning to mention war again…

I was aware of things when the civil war was fought. I was a presiding officer in 1959 general elections. I have been very much part of the system for a long time. In my mind, I have never seen a country that is in a kind of chaos that Nigeria is in now. There have never been a time in this country we had this kind of confusion like we have now and it is not a good omen at all.

And another thing is that you journalists are part of the crisis we are having in this country today.

How?

Journalists are taking asides in their reports and they are not honest. Journalists should insist that the laws of this country be obeyed at any time. But if people for selfish and biased reasons take sides that are obviously unjust and unfair like in the case of Shi’ites, things can only get worse. I don’t know the population of Shi’ites in this country but they must be in large number. If the Journalists sit down and objectively analyse these things, they’ll discover that a lot of things go wrong because people decide not to obey the rule of law or the court rulings in this country.

You cannot be anxious to say that people should go to court and yet, you don’t obey court orders. What sort of thing is this?

Would you say some advisers of the government are not doing their job?

It is not just that. You people know what has been going on in the past four years. The list of ministers has been released for instance, but is there any change? We’re back to square one. The media is part of the problem. The editorial policies of newspapers are part of the problems. Your employers have friends in government and therefore you are restricted. This is a problem because there is no free press in Nigeria. You only have the press that dances to the whims of those that finance the establishments. It is not like this in other countries.

But Nigeria has groups of elders that need to be advising government from time to time…

Nigerians don’t respect elders. Are we not the ones being abused all over the place? Afenifere is being abused, Ohanaeze is being abused and Northern Elders and ACF are being abused. They are abusing elders all over the place and nobody wants to hear the truth.

Your group, Northern Elders Forum were abused maybe because you asked the Fulani in the South to return home…

That is exactly what I was saying. I was the person that made the statement but the reporter published a different thing by removing an important word from my statement. I said ‘if’ the Fulani living in the South, wherever it is in the South feel threatened in their environment and they don’t think they have protection of the constituted authorities, they should find safer grounds. That was all I said. But that reporter removed the ‘if’, twisted the statement by saying NEF gave the order. That was bad. Why should my statement be distorted to create tension in the polity?

The president has ordered the Inspector General of Police to arrest the ugly situation of insecurity in the country and protect citizens. Your take

They have been talking about protecting Nigerians for many years-but things are only getting worse. So, you people should find the solution.

If El Zakzaky was your student, then, there must be something you know which is perhaps why the government is afraid of releasing him…

I think the government should tell us what they are afraid of. If one commits an offence, he should be taken to court. The court decides their guilt and if the court says, no, they are not guilty, they should be released on bail and the court order should be obeyed. If they know something, they should appear before the court to say what they know. Government should convince the court why the man should not be granted bail. But if the court has issued an order, it should be obeyed. Otherwise, you are denying the fundamental right of the person you are holding.

How do we avoid a major breakdown of law and order because of these many problems in the country?

You should go and ask the leaders you have chosen. Ask them.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/07/el-zakzaky-shiites-can-become-worse-than-boko-haram-ango-abdullahi/amp/

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Politics › Proscription Of IMN: Group Vows To Appeal Court Decision by Levant(op): 8:54am On Jul 30, 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GByPgj2N3wE

Lalasticlala
Seun

Politics › Re: We Are Shi'ite But Not Members Of IMN, RAAF Tells Presidency by Levant(op): 9:53pm On Jul 29, 2019

Buckubuck:
Govt propaganda

This Shi'ite group (RAAF) campaigned for Buhari during the election period and they are opposed to the IMN led by Zakzaky. Zakzaky is anti establishment. His movement is pro-masses and it threatens the northern elite and emirs. He doesnt even recognize them and sees them as all corrupt and part of a corrupt system that should be uprooted through popular revolution. Zakzaky mixes religion and politics. The RAAF tries to stay clear of politics and where not possible, they promote the establishment and the status quo and those in power. RAAF is not revolutionary or political.

You can check wikipedia and a quick google search.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jSuAi6YQno

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Politics › Re: MURIC Reacts To Proscription Of Shi'ite (IMN) by Levant: 9:43pm On Jul 29, 2019

Akintola appears intimidated. He cannot go against Buhari.

Look at him condemning Kaduna State for proscribing the IMN, in 2016:

MURIC Blasts Kaduna Government For Labelling Shiite IMN “insurgent Group”

Kaduna State Government yesterday declared the embattled Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) an insurgent group.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) rejects this new label for an otherwise pacific organization. The new declaration is nothing short of calling a dog a bad name in other to hang it. Kaduna State government is being economical with the truth, killing a fly with a sledge hammer and engaging in executive tyranny.

This is a very dangerous dimension. Coming shortly after a competent court of law ordered the release of the IMN leader, Shaykh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky from detention, this stigmatization is just another attempt by the state government to jump the gun. The declaration is short in equity, long in injustice. But we must remember Martin Luther’s warning that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

Kaduna government is pregnant with ingredients of all the five evils which Chamberlain spoke about, viz, brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution. Why is it that the only thing men learn from history is that they learn nothing from history? Kaduna has not learnt anything from the Boko Haram phenomenon. Kaduna has chosen to prove both Hegel and Karl Marx right in their postulate that history always repeats itself.

MURIC is however constrained to remind all stakeholders of the divine warning contained in Qur’an 8:25 “Fear a tumult which will affect those who caused it as well as the innocent ones”. Was this not how Boko Haram started? Police brutality and extra-judicial killing of the group’s leader caused its metamorphosis into a terror machine. But is it the police alone that are facing the consequences today?

MURIC calls on well-meaning Nigerians to speak out. It was the great Shaykh Uthman Bin Fudi (Uthman Dan Fodio) who said, “In an unjust society, silence is a crime…” Let us speak up now before it is too late.

But members of the IMN also need to do some self-assessment. Something must be wrong with a system against which so many neighbours testify. Several people (including Muslims) confirm that they had had bitter encounters with members of the IMN. They complain about the group’s open display of arrogance. All those people could not have been lying. Something must be wrong with a doctrine which embarrasses the rest of The Muslim Ummah and from which they dissociate themselves.

We commend the leadership of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) for its efforts in resolving the IMN debacle and the maturity it has manifested in handling the matter. Due to the sensitive nature of the issue, NSCIA has engaged in quiet diplomatic shuttling between governments and the IMN from the beginning. We urge the NSCIA to continue the dialogue.

In conclusion, we appeal to the Kaduna State government to de-label IMN and begin a process of reconciliation and reorientation for its members. That is the path of visionary leadership and responsible governance. It is the path of peace. On its own part, IMN must improve its relationship with other Islamic organizations.

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/217176-muslim-rights-concern-blasts-kaduna-government-labelling-shiite-imn-insurgent-group.html

Politics › We Are Shi'ite But Not Members Of IMN, RAAF Tells Presidency by Levant(op): 9:17pm On Jul 29, 2019

We are Shiite but not members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), RAAF tells Presidency

Gombe – Rasulul A’azam Foundation (RAAF), a Shiite group, has appealed to the Federal Government to protect its members against any backlash following the proscription and declaration of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) as a terrorist group.

The Federal Government on Friday obtained a court order to proscribe the Shiite organisation referred to as the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, following alleged acts of terrorism and illegality.

Malam Saleh Sani-Zaria, Secretary General of the foundation,made the plea at a press briefing on Sunday in Gombe.

He said the Rasulul A’zam Foundation is a Shiite group under the leadership of Sheikh Muhammad Nur-Dass, not Ibrahim Zakzaky.

“I am calling on the government to protect the law-abiding members of RAAF against any backlash, following the proscription of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria.

“We are Shiite but not members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), and we have said it several times.

“We are law-abiding citizens. My organisation has many branches within the headquarter in Kano, preaching and propagating the Shiite ideals,” he said.

He said that RAAF was a peaceful organisation registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

“Whenever we have events, we write to the appropriate authorities, who provide us with security,” he said.

He called on journalists to always differentiate between RAAF and IMN,and not mislead the general public.

“Our organisation is purely religious, not political, and the ban order is targeted at IMN, not us”, he said.

Sani-Zaria further called on members of RAAF to remain law-abiding and contribute their quota to the development and peaceful coexistence of the country. (NAN)

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/07/we-are-shiite-but-not-members-of-islamic-movement-of-nigeria-imn-raaf-tells-presidency/

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Politics › Re: Presidency: FG Did Not Ban Shi'ites As A Religion; Only IMN As An Organization by Levant(op): 7:59am On Jul 29, 2019

ConqueredWest:
IMN=Shi'ites

Unban IMN now

IMN is a Shi'ite organization. Not all Shi'ites are affiliated with it. It just happens that IMN is the largest Shi'ite group in the country.

You can actually be a Shi'ite without belonging to the IMN. A Japanese Shi'ite, an Iraqi Shi'ite, American Shi'ite, Lebanese Shi'ite, Moroccan Shi'ite etc do not belong to the IMN. IMN is a local Nigerian Shi'ite organization that not all Nigerian Shi'ite Muslims even belong to.

Just like not all Sunni Muslims in Nigeria belong to NASFAT and Boko Haram.

1 Like

Politics › Re: Presidency: FG Did Not Ban Shi'ites As A Religion; Only IMN As An Organization by Levant(op): 7:49am On Jul 29, 2019

tundeontop:
The Presidency should release Elzakzaky but his activities should not be allowed in Zaria. My experience with them in Gaskiya Zaria in 2011 is still very fresh.
They should go to the Southeast, the Igbos love them.

The government will never allow that to happen.

If Zakzaky goes to the Southeast and he is able to recruit igbos and convert them to Shia Islam, that's the end of Nigeria. Igbo+Shia Islam would mean dogged and intelligent Igbos having a Shi'ite ideology of progressiveness, martyrdom, zeal and sacrifice to fight endlessly and with Iran behind them.

Politics › Presidency: FG Did Not Ban Shi'ites As A Religion; Only IMN As An Organization by Levant(op): 3:47am On Jul 29, 2019

GOVERNMENT OUTLAWED CRIMINALITY OF IMN, NOT FREEDOM OF WORSHIP -- PRESIDENCY

Presidency says proscription of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has nothing to do with banning the larger numbers of peaceful and law abiding Shiites in the country from practicing their religion, instead it was to discourage wanton violence, murder and willful destruction of public and private property.

The Presidency explains that contrary to the claim by IMN that it had been banned from practicing its religion, President Buhari's administration has not banned Shiites from observing their five daily prayers and going to Mecca to perform the Holy pilgrimage.

Their position is blatantly false and deceptive.

The IMN is deliberately changing the narrative in order to gain sympathy and divert the attention of the world from its terrorist activities, including attacking soldiers, killing policemen and a youth corps member, destroying government ambulances and public property, consistently defying authority of the state.

The Presidency notes that the banned organization was taken over by extremists who didn't believe in peaceful protests and instead employed violence and arson, driving fear and undermining the rights of others and constituted authority.

The Presidency agrees that the constitution protects freedom of worship, but not to the detriment of the society, especially where such freedom harms others, and breaks law and order.

The Presidency insists that such criminal behavior and disregard for rights of others and human life will not be tolerated by any responsible government, explaining that everywhere in the world protesters operate within legal boundaries and conduct themselves peacefully without molesting others, or engaging in murder and killing of security personnel or destroying public and private property.

The Presidency regrets that despite all efforts by the government and other well-meaning Nigerians to make the IMN militants to see reason and abandon violence, such appeals fell on deaf ears as they killed, maimed and destroyed willfully, constituting daily nuisance to workers, commuters and other innocent citizens.

Having defied appeals to operate peacefully, and given their seeming determination to destabilize the country, the government had to act before the situation goes out of control, after admonishing many times over that people should not use religion to perpetuate lawlessness.

"We are fighting lawlessness and criminality and not pursuing a policy of discrimination against any group,” the Presidency stressed. “You cannot be in court while at the same time engaging in violent protests, molesting people and inflicting pains on others, which includes taking innocent lives.''

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)
July 28, 2019

Lalasticlala

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Politics › Re: Shiites Proscription Order To Be Gazetted On Monday by Levant: 3:26pm On Jul 28, 2019

Bubu has succeeded in turning the entire nation sympathetic to the Shi'ites, and in particular the IMN Shi'ites. There are now not only Shia Muslims, but alsl Shia Christians, Shia Atheists and Shia Traditional worshipers. Crackdown, persecution, sectarian violence, police brutality against civilians and peaceful protesters have no place in the 21st century.

Politics › Re: Shiites React To Proscription Of Its Activities By FG by Levant: 6:30pm On Jul 27, 2019

Justbeingreal:

These guys are warning Nigerians with their statements lately hope FG knows if another group like BH emerges then the damage will be too much for Nigeria.

We never fit tackle the whahala on ground already talk more of addition.

The main problem with proscribing them and repeatedly killing them is if they then choose to go underground and choose violence as a means. They are already in Abuja and major cities. The impact would be catastrophic. But it seems the government is not seeing the possibility of them causing damage to the nation. You cannot use a hammer to kill a fly.

1 Like

Politics › Re: Shiites React To Proscription Of Its Activities By FG by Levant: 6:27pm On Jul 27, 2019

NwaAmaikpe:
The proscription of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria or rather the Shiite sect is a distasteful decision, an ill-thought out one and a violation of the fundamental human rights of it's members.
I wonder who even advices these people?

It is just as ridiculous as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom proscribing the Catholic Church in England.

When a people decide to be law-abiding, blind to the injustice they receive and utmostly docile; it is rather offensive for the government to push them so hard against the wall where revolting against such assault would be the only rational way out.

This administration should realize that the toughest battle any nation can face is not a war with world powers but a battle with its' own people.
Enough of the bridge burning.

As always, I will stand for the ugly truth.
The Shiites are no terrorists, if there is any body the government should approach with such iron fists, it should be MIYETTI ALLAH who are unapologetically sympathetic to the herdsmen terrorists as well as MURIC.

It is not Shi'ites that the government or the court proscribed as a religion. It is the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, which is the largest Shi'ite organization.

The problem is the media have not done enough and neither is the government to enlighten the public that the Shi'ites the govt has problem with are those who follow Zakzaky and are members of his IMN. They make it seem as if they are fighting the religion, the second largest branch of Islam i.e. Shia Islam. Every time there is problem, they use the blanket label of "Shi'ites" on the IMN. It is like always referring to Boko Haram as "Sunnis" or always referring to Alqaeda as "Muslims". There are other Shi'ite groups in the north and one of them is even in bed with the Buhari government. They were campaigning for him during the election on NTA.

This ban is actually like the UK (a Protestant country) banning Caritas, a Catholic organization. The ban itself on the IMN is not justified. These are not terrorists. Terrorists don't go in public to protest. Terrorists don't disassociate themselves from violence, after the government repeatedly has tried to attribute violence to them. Yet, they maintain they are peaceful. After the Zaria Massacre, they remain peaceful.

I do not even understand how a lower court can proscribe them after the supreme court has asked the FG to free Zakzaky and compensate him.

1 Like

Politics › Re: El-Zakzaky: Nigerians Protest At The Iranian Embassy (Photo) by Levant: 1:30pm On Jul 27, 2019

ericsmith:
I don't even know what school of thought you guys belong to,why do you guys keeping wishing(anticipating is an understatement) the shiite movement will pick up amunitions to fight .. a snake is a snake regardless of whether its sleeping or mind its business. just disengage head thats all
we just have to give it to the govt for been proactive, as long as the snake does not have its head, it can't be a threat. apparently the shiites movement are clueless,lack direction & objectives that his becos the govt took there head even before they knew there potentials.
i strongly believe without el zaky zaky shiite will just be another fangless snake ...

This man has been preaching for over three decades. He did not take up arms.

Shi'ites and Shia Islam did not start with Zakzaky. There are other Shi'ite groups in the north. The government even used one of them to campaign for Buhari on NTA. I watched the show. Buhari has a problem with Zakzaky and his IMN organization. For what reason, only God knows.

Politics › Re: El-Zakzaky: Nigerians Protest At The Iranian Embassy (Photo) by Levant: 1:28pm On Jul 27, 2019

Cesearleo:
I think you are one shiites that's why you are defending them

I do not support oppression and persecution. Today it is the IMN. Yesterday it was IPOB. Tomorrow it can be anyone.

1 Like

Politics › Re: El-Zakzaky: Nigerians Protest At The Iranian Embassy (Photo) by Levant: 9:12am On Jul 27, 2019*

BlackAlbinoo:
For goodness sake what's the Islamic republic of Iran's business with the detention of el-Zakzaky, can't this Iranian officials and it's ayotollah just focus on pressing issues bothering their nation like their crippled economy,acute water shortage,their row with Israel,Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Why can't these jobless people advice their masters in Nigeria to stop persecuting a minority of Nigerians of a different belief under flimsy excuses and guises? They are protesting outside the Iran embassy to promote the Zaria Massacre, shooting at Shi'ite processions, mass grave, shooting protesters and illegal detention. What a sad time for democracy in the country.

It is obvious till now Iran has not done anything to defend or arm these Shi'ite guys. And some jobless clowns and masquerades are knocking on the door of their embassy, in tit for tat, to tell them to stop sponsoring "terrorism" in Nigeria. Why not tell our own government to stop sectarian persecution, illegal detention and shooting at protesters? When Iran actively starts sponsoring these guys, you cannot do your tit for tat clowning to sponsor "terrorists" in Iran. Your clowning will stop then and the same Iran you're provoking today will be the one you will rush to for dialogue and intervention. By then it might be too late.

No one lose by talking to others and being nice for the sake of peace. Not for the sake of fear or favor. These guys as a group are not stronger than Nigeria as a country and neither is boko haram. But why not prevent the carnage they might cause by pushing them to the wall? Fighting and discord is a loss for everyone. No one gains from it.

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Politics › Re: El-Zakzaky: Nigerians Protest At The Iranian Embassy (Photo) by Levant: 8:59am On Jul 27, 2019

Hired clowns.
Who is killing who in Nigeria? Is it not the security forces that are shooting at protesters and civilians?

It looks like some people won't hear word. They're clowning and taking it as a joke because these guys are not armed. By the time these guys pick up arms and go underground, then more innocent lives will be wasted. Why not give peace a chance and hold dialogue with these guys when they are without weapons instead of waiting for them to do worse and then want to call them to sit and talk?

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Politics › Re: El-Zakzaky: Court Declares Shiite (IMN) 'Terrorist Group' by Levant(op): 5:38am On Jul 27, 2019

adioolayi:
Sincerely, I don't really understand what you are talking about...maybe because I am not a Muslim.....but then, the FG proscribe MASSOB when their wahala was much too. so...anything goes as far as it is for the peace of the larger populace

Those people will still continue to come out to protest and they will be shot at. More civilians deaths and more protests and bloodshed. These people are not seeking to secede. They are protesting for FG to obey court order and release their leader.

"Anything goes" , even when disobeying the law and playing tricks with it, is not good for the entire country. One court, the highest court, cannot be telling you to release and compensate someone, while you rush to seek a ruling criminalizing the activity of the person as "terrorist" from a lower court. It doesn't make sense.

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Politics › Re: El-Zakzaky: Court Declares Shiite (IMN) 'Terrorist Group' by Levant(op): 5:29am On Jul 27, 2019

adioolayi:
https://punchng.com/court-declares-shiites-movement-terrorist-group/

Now they've got what they wanted...let's see how it goes. I support FG on this

Nothing new.

When Sunni dictators cannot handle dissent, they resort to labelling people "terrorist". Wahhabi Saudi Arabia that Bubu and his fellow Sunnis look up to, did this:

Saudi Arabia declares all atheists are terrorists in new law to crack down on political dissidents
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-declares-all-atheists-are-terrorists-in-new-law-to-crack-down-on-political-dissidents-9228389.html

The FG is declaring Nigerians as " terrorists" for protesting and holding a different religious doctrine. The court of law they are going to, in fact the the supreme court, has told the FG to release Zakzaky and compensate him. The FG is making a mockery out of the law and court rulings.

Meanwhile it is the Wahhabis that are the real terrorists, from alqaeda to boko haram to Isis to alshabab etc. They will not ban herdsmen causing trouble with ammunitions. They will ban those walking on the streets chanting songs.

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Politics › El-Zakzaky: Court Declares Shiite (IMN) 'Terrorist Group' by Levant(op): 4:52am On Jul 27, 2019

The Federal Government has obtained a court order to proscribe the Shiites’ organisation formally referred to as the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday ordered the proscription of the Shiites’ movement as protests by the Islamic organisation rock Abuja.

Saturday PUNCH reports that Justice Nkeonye Maha issued the order in a ruling in which she also designated the activities of the Shiite organisation in any part of Nigeria “as acts of terrorism and illegality.”

The court restrained “any person or group of persons” from participating in any form of activities involving or concerning the IMN “under any name or platform” in Nigeria.

To complete the process of the proscription of the group, the court ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation “to publish the order proscribing the respondent (Islamic Movement in Nigeria) in the official gazette and two national dailies.”

The judge gave the order following an ex parte application by the Federal Government.

A copy of the ex parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/876/2019 which was sighted by Saturday PUNCH on Friday, was filed in the name of the ‘Attorney-General of the Federation.’

Justice Maha granted the four prayers contained in the application shortly after the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Dayo Apata, argued the application on Friday.

The IMN was the sole respondent to the application but the group was not represented by a lawyer on Friday since it was an ex parte hearing.

Ruling on Friday, the court made “a declaration that the activities of the respondent (Islamic Movement in Nigeria) in any part of Nigeria amounts to acts of terrorism and illegality.”

The court said, “An order of this honourable court proscribing the existence and activities of the respondent (Islamic Movement in Nigeria) in any part of Nigeria, under whatever form or guise either in groups or as individuals by whatever names they are called.

“An order restraining any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities involving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the respondent (Islamic Movement in Nigeria) under any other name or platform howsoever called or described in any part of Nigeria.

“An order directing the applicant (the AGF) to publish the order proscribing the respondent (Islamic Movement in Nigeria) in the official gazette and two national dailies.”

The Federal Government had filed the application before the court on Thursday, barely 72 hours after a protest by members of the group in Abuja led to a bloody clash between them and the police.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Federal Capital Territory Command, Usman Umar, and a Channels Television journalist, Precious Owolabi, died in the clash with many others injured and property destroyed.

The Shiites have for over two years been regularly taking to the streets particularly in Abuja to demand the release of their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat.

The couple has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since December 2015 after a bloody clash between members of the group and soldiers in the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, in Zaria, Kaduna State.

In the application for the proscription of the group, the Federal Government accused the group of carrying out coordinated violent protests in the country.

It alleged that the “aggressive activities” of members of the group had led to the loss of lives and destruction of private and public property in the Federal Capital Territory and other cities in northern Nigeria.

The Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations in the FCT Command, Nyinnaya Adiogu, who deposed to the affidavit filed in support of the application, also alleged that the Shiites engaged in series of illegal activities, “which are inimical to the corporate interest of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Such activities, according to Adiogu, who said he was briefed by the Inspector-General of Police and the Solicitor-General of the Federation included setting up of a para-military guard called ‘HURRAS’.

The group was also accused of “nefarious activities”, murder, attacks on security agents and provocative preaching and hate speeches while working towards an agenda of creating an Islamic State in Nigeria.

The affidavit, which highlighted what it described as “series of violent and unlawful activities” of the group since 1991, stated that the activities of the IMN members under the guise of clamouring for the release of their leader had not only heightened tension and insecurity in the country but also earned the country negative rating globally.

The affidavit stated in part, “On July 22, 2019, the respondent’s members again launched another vicious cycle of violent protests around the Federal Secretariat (Abuja), during which they set a sub-station/Ambulance Bay of the National Emergency Management Agency, containing a truck and an ambulance on fire.

“A Deputy Commissioner of Police, Usman Umar, in charge of Operations in the FCT; a national youth corps member by the name of Precious Owolabi, reporting for Channels TV and others were killed by the protesters. (Copies of media reports by The Nation, Daily Trust, Leadership, Punch and The Sun newspapers dated July 23, 2019, on this incident are attached herewith and marked as Exhibit FGN 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E).

We won’t abandon our religion –Shiites

However, the spokesperson for the group, Ibrahim Musa, said the government could not proscribe the movement, pointing out that its members were Muslims practising Islam as “revealed” by Prophet Muhammed.

He said the group was neither an association nor a political party that could be proscribed by fiat.

Musa, who spoke to Saturday PUNCH on Friday, noted that the IMN was a mass movement and could not be made to abandon its religion just like that.

Musa said, “Firstly, we are not an organisation or association or a political party that can be proscribed by fiat.

“We are Muslims practising Islam as revealed to Prophet Muhammed under the leadership of his family. Ours is a mass movement, hence we can’t abandon our religion just like that.

“We don’t bear arms, we don’t force others to join us, we are just demanding justice within the ambit of the law, therefore, proscribing us won’t work.

“We can’t say this is what we will do if we are proscribed, because it just won’t work. We are in each and every facet of life like other citizens.”

Three of our members died in police custody, Shiites claim

The IMN also said three of its members who were shot and held in police custody had died.

The sect explained that the deceased were arrested during Monday clash between its members and the police during which about 13 persons, including a deputy commissioner of police, died in Abuja.

The President, Media Forum of IMN, Musa, in a statement in Abuja on Friday, said the three detainees died as a result of bullet wounds they sustained during the incident.

The Federal Capital Territory police spokesman, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, could not be reached for comments as calls to his phone rang out. He had yet to reply to a text message as of the time of filing this report.

FG, IMN may explore truce as negotiator meets El-Zakzaky

Meanwhile, the Federal Government may have begun moves to negotiate with the IMN in order to end the sect’s violent agitations for the release of its leader, El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat.

However, the development had yet to be independently verified as of the time of filing this report on Friday

A senior IMN member, Abdulrahman Abubakar, who confirmed the development on Friday, said the movement was waiting for the government to set up a committee that would negotiate with the Shiite members.

Abubakar, who is the coordinator, Free El-Zakzaky Campaign, explained that the representative of the European country handling the negotiations had met with El-Zakzaky in custody to hear from him.

Also, other sources said the Federal Government might have opened talks with the IMN to stop their protests against the continued detention of their leader.

Sources at the Nigerian Army Guards Brigade, Abuja, told our correspondent that the FG was not happy with the protests, which turned violent.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/court-declares-shiites-movement-terrorist-group/amp/

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Politics › Re: Buhari Government, Shi’ites Negotiating In Secret Over El-Zakzaky - Daily Post by Levant: 5:43pm On Jul 26, 2019

So they're negotiating that's probably why we didn't hear of protests today, after Friday prayers.

Politics › Re: Shi’ites: What NHRC Told Buhari Govt About El-zakzaky’s Case by Levant: 11:02am On Jul 26, 2019

orisa37:
.

Elsaksaky and his troops attacked COAS and his entourage on duty. This is a Capital Offence and it tantamounts to very serious Alien Attack on Nigeria. It is a premeditated and unprovoked rebellion and attack.

Lies!

Every time these people are doing their processions, there is always a military vehicle ready to pass through and claim their way was blocked. We don't see that during Friday prayers of the Sunnis or church service on Sundays. And the military convoy always end up shooting and killing them. Let's put aside what transpired on the road. Why were they arbitrarily attacked at different locations afterwards and hundreds of them killed and dumped in mass grave and their properties burnt and demolished? Does road block warrant committing a massacre and then, repeatedly shoot at them during their processions and protests asking for their leader to be freed?

Politics › Re: Buhari Government, Shi’ites Negotiating In Secret Over El-Zakzaky - Daily Post by Levant: 10:51am On Jul 26, 2019

Was it worth all the bloodshed, chaos, protests and loss of innocent lives before this government dialogue its own citizens? For goodness, these are Nigerians. And if you watch these people talk on interviews, you will know that they are not with empty skulls. Why not sit down with them all along? Why not get diplomats, whether European or Middle Eastern talk to this man all along instead of spilling blood of innocent Nigerians.

The moment you give the organization the blanket label of "Shi'ites", the battle is lost. You cannot fight a religion and win. The impression given is that a Sunni led government is persecuting an organization (the IMN) for being Shi'ite.

This dialogue was long overdue and comprehensive solution found to all the issues. I don't think the issues the government have with Zakzaky and his IMN cannot be resolved through dialogue and peacefully.

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Politics › Re: Amb Hussaini Coomassie Consoles IGP Over The Death Of DCP Umar Usman by Levant: 3:30pm On Jul 25, 2019

When I saw the title of the thread containing the word "ambassador", I thought I was about reading words of diplomacy and wisdom. Then I read further that he is the head of the buhari campaign organization. So I am not surprised for his call for more bloodshed. All the bloodshed that have been shed and a whole Zaria Massacre and mass grave are not enough for this ambassador of death. Will more bloodshed prevent another occurrence of friendly fire and another DCP getting a stray bullet? Is violence the solution at all? Or is this one speaking for the sake of eye service and as a fanatical Wahhabi who views Shi'ites as "heretics"?

And he said Iran has distanced itself from IMN. Isn't the same Iran that condemned the shooting of the police targeting IMN protesters and are asking for Zakzaky to be released and sent to Iran for medical treatment? Iran may have nothing to do with them, but still that doesn't justify shooting them like birds for protesting. Is this an ambassador speaking or a tyrant?

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Politics › Re: Zakzaky: Mohammad Jafar Montazeri Urges Nigeria To Send Him To Iran by Levant(op): 12:42pm On Jul 25, 2019

Dave0116:
Iran never gives in or forgives especially when it has to do with their religion, He will surely returned well armed or someone else will do the job.

Iran is the major Shi'ite power on earth. Their moral backbone. Settling this matter in Nigeria starts by ensuring the government has the Iranians on their side to douse off the tension. By reaching an understanding, and allowing him to go and treat himself and not return (exile), it is better than to leave him die in prison.

The man, even if he returns cannot lead any fight. He is already shaken and sick. He has lost an eye and was shot thrice during the Zaria Massacre. He lost three sons and hundreds of followers. And the Shi'ites have always said they're not armed and don't want to fight and they are opposed to using violence. So now is the time to make them prove their words.

Releasing him to treat himself in Nigeria or even abroad without a good deal is a bad move. Getting the Iranians onboard is to the advantage of the government. That is how I see it.

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Politics › Re: Zakzaky: Mohammad Jafar Montazeri Urges Nigeria To Send Him To Iran by Levant(op): 12:33pm On Jul 25, 2019

This is the best solution. The Nigerian government should make a deal with the Iranians. Let him go and not return. Everyone will rest.

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Politics › Re: Amnesty International Blames Police For Bloody Shi'ites Protest by Levant: 12:25pm On Jul 25, 2019

Montanasnr:
Oga, Shiite is a terrorist group and should be treated like a terrorist. Forget that your stuff. That was how boko haram started. El Zakzaky should be killed and his followers should be placed on the wanted list.
Na national security is at stake if you don't know.

Wahhabi Takfiri terrorist commenting and propagating bloodshed and terror.

Politics › Re: Why Did Jonathan's Govt, Kill El-Zakzaky's 3 Sons, & 32 Followers In 2014? by Levant: 11:00am On Jul 25, 2019

7lives:
You mean Buratai just went berserk and decided to go and kill 300 Shi'ites at their various HOMES?.
My problem with you people is the kind of argument you put forward, no wonder your people are having it rough in foreign countries, in a lawless situation it is illegal to be law abiding.
The Shi'ites are a lawless group, how can they block the road and refused to make way for the NA, what kind of lawlessness is that?, much as I don't like what happened to the Shi'ites,, they sure deserve it.

Why is the lawlessness of other groups when conducting their religious ceremonies tolerated and acceptable, but that of the Shi'ites must be condemned and met with massacre and shootings?

Sunnis block roads during Friday prayers. Some of you animals would park and leave your cars in the middle of the road and block traffic and make the road inaccessible to other motorists to enter mosques. I have witnessed this in Abuja of all places. Once they start shouting from mosque for prayers, these buffoons will just park in the middle of the road and leave their cars and be running with their praying mats. How many times have they been shot at? Why is the lawlessness of the majority tolerated but that of the minority, when conducting their religious processions, is to be met with brute force and live ammunition? Aboki is talking about lawlessness. Is that not something to be laughed at?

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Politics › Re: Video Of El Zakzaky Calling On His Followers To Ambush And Kill Soldiers/Police by Levant: 10:51am On Jul 25, 2019

Afamed:
It was on record Shitees crisis didn't start under PMB government. Obasanjo, IBB , even Jonathan a Christian had his share of crisis with Shitees though Indomie generation like you might not know Shitees crisis preceded PMB administration. It is the alarmists and propagandist like you who want to make Shitees as if it's a new group under PMB

Looks like you're trying to find a way out of the mess Bubu created and an exit by sharing the blame.

Among all those you mentioned, none of them have a record of a massacre of hundreds of Nigerians who are buried in a mass grave in Kaduna. That is one of Bubu's achievements. I just want to know how the international community will not have him visit the ICC after his presidency. It is just unimaginable. They're waiting for the right time since he is a sitting president of an important country in Africa like Nigeria. They don't want to create a crisis. You cannot kill hundreds of people in our modern time and bury them in a mass grave and then think you will live a peaceful life thereafter. It is just inconceivable. The Western nations will do the needful and apply the necessary pressure when the time comes.

Zakzaky because he has long being persecuted by Sunni army generals and heads of state loyal to Wahhabi Saudi Arabia, have visited prisons across the nation for preaching a different version of Islam, contrary to the Sunni version the majority adhere to. Sending him to prison isn't new. But today, we are in a democracy. And what is new is committing a massacre and creating a mass grave. Crimes against humanity.

OBJ, Jonathan and Yaradua had no issues because they were not Sunnis or they were not army generals; in the case of Jonathan, both.

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Politics › Re: Video Of El Zakzaky Calling On His Followers To Ambush And Kill Soldiers/Police by Levant: 10:00am On Jul 25, 2019

kingzizzy:
You can not threaten a person or government with mouth or words alone. The law does not see that as viable threat. It would be a different case if one is armed and making threats.

If everyone who ever threatened another person with words alone were to be locked up, we would all be behind bars.

The video is doctored and deliberately taken out of context, only showing less than a minute, to spread propaganda.

They should post the full talk and proper translation. I am searching on YouTube. If I get it, I will post it.

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Politics › Iran Condemns Violence, Use Of Force Against Nigeria Protesters by Levant(op): 9:57am On Jul 25, 2019

Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi has expressed deep concern over the recent unrest and clashes in the Nigerian capital Abuja.

In a statement on Tuesday, Mousavi condemned violence and the use of force against demonstrators taking part in Monday protest rallies.

He touched upon the worsening health condition of detained Muslim leader Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, and said it has been more than two months since the medical team reported Zakzaky and his wife needed immediate medical treatment abroad.

“Nigerian authorities are expected to immediately get Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky out of the detention centre and provide him with access to proper medical services,” the spokesman said.

Highlighting the need for preserving security and stability and restoring peace in Nigeria, Mousavi appealed for calm by both sides, and urged Nigerian officials to exercise restraint.

He further called on authorities to speed up the trend of Zakzaky’s treatment and ease worries about his deteriorating health condition. He also called for a negotiated settlement of existing problems.

Abuja as well as several other cities around the world has, in recent days witnessed protest rallies where demonstrators called for the release of the Muslim cleric.

Demonstrations in Abuja turned ugly on Monday as security forces used violence against protesters.

Meanwhile there have been growing concerns over Zakzaky’s frail health.

Recently, a lawyer for the imprisoned cleric warned that his client’s health was in critical condition and that he might die if he was not released very soon.

The warning came after a Nigerian court ordered to extend Zakzaky’s detention for another eleven days. Zakzaky’s legal team says the cleric suffered a stroke last week and has got no sleep for seven days. The hearing will now be adjourned until July 29th.

Meanwhile, a group of 50 activists wrote a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, demanding Nigeria’s religious leader be allowed to leave the country for urgent medical treatment. Zakzaky has been in prison since 2015.

https://ifpnews.com/exclusive/iran-condemns-violence-use-of-force-against-nigeria-protesters/amp/

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Politics › Re: Video Of El Zakzaky Calling On His Followers To Ambush And Kill Soldiers/Police by Levant: 9:56am On Jul 25, 2019

Afamed:
Do shi'ites in US block others from using the roads for hours? Do shi'ites in US walk down from California to Texas denying other Americans the usage of the roads? Do shi'ites in US ask their members to take arms against the US government? These are sincere questions you should ask yourself

Do they hold their processions in the air?

The security agents provide them with permits and space to hold their procession on land. Not in the air.

Our own security agents will not give Nigerian Shi'ites permit to hold processions out of sectarian bias and Sunnis intolerance. Instead they will force the Shi'ites to exercise their right to assembly and hold processions without permit and then the security agents will shoot at them. And you are not even remorseful.

How many videos are on YouTube of Nigeria police and soldiers shooting at Shi'ite processions? Don't you feel remorse?

4 Likes

Politics › Re: Video Of El Zakzaky Calling On His Followers To Ambush And Kill Soldiers/Police by Levant: 9:53am On Jul 25, 2019

Mylove55:
your fellow terrorist ipob will be laughing at this your statement.
So threaten federal government in your village is not a crime.
Even a threat to kill your neighbor is a serious crime, not to talk of federal government.

Why are you spreading government propaganda based on a doctored video clip that has been cut and taken out of its context, if not mistranslated?

Why not provide the full video and proper translation?

You're an agent of bloodshed. We are not.

4 Likes 1 Share

Politics › Re: Video Of El Zakzaky Calling On His Followers To Ambush And Kill Soldiers/Police by Levant: 9:48am On Jul 25, 2019

Afamed:
Typical lazy youth, why didn't you ask the US to take him to court instead of killing him outright since Osama also has the Constitutional right to be heard or tried?

The US is not my country.

The US does not shoot at protesters.

Black's protest. They insult Trump.

American Shi'ites hold processions in the US and no one shoots at them.

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