Richmond C. Amadi is an independent journalist, Book Publisher, member of RSU Alumni, Researcher (currently researching with Researchgate.net), Writer, Motivational Speaker. He is a BSc Holder in Office and Information Management, and Diploma holder in Management all from Rivers State University. Currently doing his MSc with RSU. Contact him on Richmond.amadi@ust.edu.ng or Amadirichmondc@gmail.com All Social Platforms: @amadirichmondc
Since there are millions of Shiites who belong to the IMN the federal government will soon realise that it has merely driven the body underground.
Mr Femi Falana, has condemned the Proscription of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, described it as ‘Immoral and Illegal’.
Falana, who is leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, said the prescription is handiwork of opportunists occupying public using government instruments to reduce movement.
This was contained in a statement sent to Channels Television on Saturday.
He decried that such prescription was tagged on Indigenous People of Biafra, yet the groups activities were never altered. See excerpt.
On The Immoral And Illegal Proscription Of IMN
The IMN was proscribed by the Kaduna State government in 2016. The proscription was gazetted. But IMN has continued to operate in defiance of the proscription.
IPOB was proscribed in 2017 by the Buhari regime via an ex parte order issued by the federal high court. In line with the court order, the proscription was gazetted. But IPOB has continued to operate in spite of the proscription.
However, in a desperate bid to prevent the Shiites from demanding for the release of their detained leader, Elzakzaky and his wife, from the custody of the State Security Service the Buhari administration has proscribed the Islamic Movement of Nigeria.
Since there are millions of Shiites who belong to the IMN the federal government will soon realise that it has merely driven the body underground.
In 2003, General Buhari and other members of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party held a rally in Kano to protest the rigging of the 2003 General Election by the Olusegun Obasanjo regime.
The rally was violently attacked by the Police on the ground that the ANPP leaders did not obtain police permit.
On the instructions of General Buhari and other the ANPP leaders, I challenged the disruption of the rally and the legal validity of police permit for rallies and political meetings at the federal high court.
The case was won by the ANPP. Apart from condemning the violent disruption of the rally by the Police, the Court declared that police permit for rallies was illegal and unconstitutional.
The appeal filed against the judgment by the Police was dismissed by the Court of Appeal.
In fact, the Justices of the Court of Appeal unanimously held that the right of Nigerians to protest against the policies of the government is part of the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution.
Therefore, the proscription of the IMN for the demonstrations of the Shiites against the disobedience of court orders by the Buhari regime is immoral and illegal in every material particular.
It is particularly opportunistic on the part of the Sunnis occupying public offices to use the instrumentality of the State to liquidate the Shiites.
The illegal proscription of the IMN should be withdrawn. It will not stand as the fundamental right of the Shiites to freedom of religion is constitutionally guaranteed.
Femi Falana SAN.
