The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, yesterday said that it was not deceived by the Saturday afternoon media interview which the State Security Service arranged for its detained leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
The members said only an unconditional release of their leader as ordered by federal courts would be acceptable.
Mr. El-Zakzaky was publicly seen Saturday for the first time since he was taken into custody after the Nigerian Army raided his compound and killed many of his followers in December 2015.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday by Ibrahim Musa, the IMN said the purported media interview arranged by the SSS failed to answer most of the critical questions bordering on El-Zakzaky’s ordeal.
The statement reads: “Sheikh El-Zakzaky was allowed to speak to a select section of the Press on Saturday 13th January, 2018 for the first time since his illegal detention.That followed recent wave of incessant but peaceful street actions calling for his immediate and unconditional release all over the country as well as globally following reports of his deteriorating health condition in detention.
This limited view and voice of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, speaking live in the short video clip in the over two years of his illegal detention may seem very pleasant but falls very short of expectations of his total and unconditional freedom as ordered by the Federal High Court Abuja.
We are not unmindful of the fact that Sheikh Zakzaky has not committed any crime, and his detention under whatever guise and pretence has been ruled by a competent court in our land as unconstitutional and a breach of his fundamental rights.
There is therefore no justification whatsoever to be satisfied by a few seconds of video clip of an illegally incarcerated Sheikh.
It is absolutely a matter of complete freedom that he deserves or nothing at all for the Sheikh in our view. Only a truly free Zakzaky will suffice as ordered by the Federal High Court.
It is only a free Zakzaky that can determine, without waiting for permission from anyone or security agents, where and when to seek medical attention and from whom.