The Federal Government has said that the misconduct exhibited by the leader of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria, (IMN), El-Zakzaky in India caused the Indian authorities to have him sent back to Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Culture Grace Gekpe, the Federal Government said it observed with dismay the acts of misconduct exhibited by El-zakzaky in India that necessitated his repatriation.
According to the statement, “El-Zakzaky’s actions in India demonstrated malicious intents that were capable of embarrassing both the Governments of Nigeria and India.
“With total disrespect and complete loss of decorum for international procedures while in India, he initiated contacts with a team of lawyers led by Ali Zia KabirChaudary and Gunjan Singh in that country.
“He also contacted some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), such as the Islamic Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and other Shiite groups. His aim was to seek asylum and eventually relocate to another country.
“It is important to note that if an Indian court had granted El-zakzaky asylum or leave to travel to another country, it would have violated the Nigerian court order that granted him permission to travel for medical treatment.
“However, he used the opportunity of being in India to attempt to internationalise his cause by mobilising the Rights groups. Even most unfortunate and rather embarrassing as earlier stated, was his quest to be relocated to a 5-Star hotel to receive visitors instead of being admitted in the hospital as a sick person he claimed to be.”
The statement further blames the IMN leader’s wife over her behaviours as well.
“In spite of her husband’s misconduct, El-zakzaky’s spouse went further to antagonise the Indian and Nigerian security agents. She particularly accused the Nigerian security agents of killing her children.
“These acts were aimed at winning international sympathy as well as disparaging the Nigerian Government. Having subordinated the quest for medical treatment to other ulterior motives, it became obvious that El-zakzaky was focused on realising some sinister motives thus the decision to return him to Nigeria.”
It would be recalled that the IMN leader was granted bail by a Nigerian court to seek medical care in India at a hospital of his choice after which he will return to continue his trial in court.