The Federal Government has warned members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, led by detained El-Zakzaky to desist from destroying public property.
It also cautioned them to end their violent street protests and await the decision of the Kaduna High court where their leader is currently facing trial.
The warning was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Adviser to the President on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, on Friday in Abuja.
Members of the movement, otherwise known as Shi’ites, have staged a series of protests in Abuja demanding the release of their leader and his wife.
Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has been in custody since 2015 and is standing trial for alleged culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, and disruption of the public peace, among others.
In the statement, Shehu noted that the federal government no longer had any hands in the matter and so should not be accused of violating court orders.
He said that the group, besides constituting public nuisance, would not achieve anything by their protests as President Muhammadu Buhari would not interfere with the judicial process.
Shehu urged members of the group to eschew violence and embrace peace pointing out that it was not within the rights of any group to “enter protected public institutions such as the National Assembly by force to attack police and destroy public and private property.”
The statement read: “The Presidency appeals to El-Zakzaky-led Shiite members to desist from needless violent street protests and await the decision of the court in Kaduna where their leader is currently being tried.
“As far as this country’s Ministry of Justice is concerned, the case involving El-Zakzaky is no longer in its domain. The Federal Government no more has hands in the matter and to that extent, the government at the centre can be said to be clear of any alleged violations of court orders as being trumpeted every day.
“The issue of El-ZakZaky is before the court in Kaduna and his supporters should focus on his on-going trial instead of causing daily damages, disruptions and public nuisance in Abuja.
“These rallies and street dances ostensibly to openly insult the President and other leaders, threatening bloodshed will lead nowhere because President Buhari will not ask the country’s judiciary to abandon due process and set a suspect free.
“At the same time, the administration is determined to enforce the decision of the court clearly issued. The Buhari administration has absolutely no hand in the on-going court case and the courts are free to determine the bail request and the final outcome.
“The mentality that you are above the law and that your own rights are superior to other people’s rights is unacceptable.
“Law-abiding citizens must avoid deliberate lawlessness. It is not within the rights of any group to enter protected public institutions such as the National Assembly by force to attack police and destroy public and private property.
“It is always advisable to embrace dialogue and eschew violence in all our actions so that we can continue to live together in peace.”
