The Attorney General of the Federation and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami has disclosed why the Federal Government cannot order the release of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zazaky alongside Dasuki and the convener of #RevolutioNow, Omoyole Sowore. Malami revealed that it was not the Federal Government who arrested and arraigned El-Zakzaky, from the first place but a Kaduna state government.
He said, a high Court in the state ordered his release, but the Kaduna state government did not comply but instead pressed more charges against him.
The Attorney General explained that the Federal Government has limited powers constitutionally over state government affairs, therefore, it cannot order the release of El-Zakzaky since the case is between him and the Kaduna State Government.
El-Zakzaky and his wife have been in detention by the Kaduna state government since December 2015 following the violent clash that involved the Nigerian Army and his group in Zaria, Kaduna state.
Amnesty International claimed about 350 Shiite members were killed by the military troops during the encounter.
The group has subsequently had a violent clash with the Nigerian troops afterwards.
The Amnesty International added “More than 150 more IMN members were subsequently killed in Kaduna, Jos, Bauchi Sokoto, Funtua and Abuja,”