The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), has said the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat, were not released alongside Omoyele Sowore and Sambo Dasuki because they were being prosecuted by a state government.
Malami made this known on Friday through a statement by his spokesman, Dr. Umar Gwandu, who quoted him as speaking to the BBC Hausa and the Hausa Service of the Voice of America.
According to the statement, ”The Federal Government does not interfere with the cases that are being prosecuted by a state government.
“El-Zakzaky and his wife are being prosecuted by the Kaduna State government on charges of murder.”
Speaking on Sowore and Dasuki’s release, the AGF said it was on compassionate grounds and not due to any domestic or international pressure.
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He said, “The only reasons for the release of Omoyele Sowore and Sambo Dasuki revolved around our commitment to the rule of law, obedience to court orders and compassionate grounds.
“It is important to understand the fact that as far as the law is concerned and in relation to the Nigerian justice system, one has multiple options after a court has ruled on a matter.”
Sowore, converner of RevolutionNow and former Nationer Security Adviser, Dasuki, were released after two court orders in September and November on behalf of the former and four years with at least five separate court orders for the latter.