Malik Yahya/
The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shi’ites, has faulted its designation as a terrorist organisation by the Nigerian government.
Justice Nkeonye Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja declared IMN a terrorist organisation yesterday, while ruling on an application by the Federal Government.
The move by the Federal Government followed a series of deadly protest by Shi’ite members, the latest of which resulted in the death of Usman Umar, a Deputy Commissioner of police and Precious Owolabi, a Channels Television reporter.
But, the spokesperson for the group, Ibrahim Musa, said the government could not proscribe the movement, pointing out that its members were Muslims practising Islam as “revealed” by Prophet Muhammed.
He said the group was neither an association nor a political party that could be proscribed by fiat.
Musa insisted that the IMN was a mass movement and could not be made to abandon its religion just like that.
His words: “Firstly, we are not an organisation or association or a political party that can be proscribed by fiat.
“We are Muslims practising Islam as revealed to Prophet Muhammed under the leadership of his family. Ours is a mass movement, hence we can’t abandon our religion just like that.
“We don’t bear arms, we don’t force others to join us, we are just demanding justice within the ambit of the law, therefore, proscribing us won’t work.
The group had engaged the police and other security agencies in several clashes over the continuous detention of its leader in Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzakky and wife.
The court order restrained any person or group of persons from participating in any form of activities involving or concerning the IMN under any name or platform in Nigeria.
A copy of the ex parte application marked FHC/ABJ/CS/876/2019, was filed in the name of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The judge reportedly granted the four prayers contained in the application shortly after the Solicitor-General of the Federation and Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Dayo Apata, argued the application.
The IMN was the sole respondent to the application but the group was not represented by a lawyer since it was an ex parte hearing.
It would be recalled that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was also proscribed and declared terrorists group two years ago by the Federal Government following the activities of its leader Nnamdi Kanu.
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