The federal government declared that the release from custody of the leader of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, can only be decided by the Kaduna state government.
The Herald gathered that Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami said the Cleric is being tried under the Kaduna State law and not under a federal law.
Malami through his Special Assistant on Media and Public Relations, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, said: “In determining the authority responsible for compliance with a court order with particular reference to bail, one must be guided by the law under which the accused person is charged and granted bail.
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“On one hand, where the accused is charged under a state law, the order of the court granting bail for an accused person bail is targeted at the state authorities for compliance. On the other hand, where charges are framed under federal offences, the order granting bail is targeted at the federal authorities for compliance.”
Malami said his case is different from those of Omoyele Sowore and Col.Sambo Dasuki (rtd), who were released from custody on Christmas Eve following his direction to the Directorate of State Services (DSS) to comply with the court’s ruling which granted them bail.
Earlier, The Herald reported that former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, disclosed how four prominent people in President Buhari’s cabinet orchestrated the release of embattled Journalist Omoyele Sowore who had been in detention of Department of State Services since August 3, 2019.
Femi Fani-Kayode also known as FFK made this known in a tweet via his verified Twitter account
He said Buhari’s Chief of staff, Abba Kyari, Ekiti Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami fought from within to ensure Sowore regained his freedom.
“I can tell you authoritatively that 4 people fought from within to get Dasuki & Sowore released & eventually managed to convince Buhari. They are Abba Kyari, Malami, Hadi Sirika and Kayode Fayemi. They represent the liberal and cerebal wing of the Buhari Govt. & I commend them,” FFK tweeted