Zakzaky, Wife Sues DSS, AGF Over Int’l Passport, Demand ₦2Billion Damages

The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenah Ibrahim have asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to order the release of their international passports seized by the Department of State Services and the Attorney General of the Federation.

Ezenwoko's Blog understands that the embattled scholar also prayed the court to mandate the two bodies to pay the sum of Two Billion Naira as damages for the violation of their human rights to freedom of movement.

Zakzakky had said earlier while receiving the Northern Christian clerics in his Abuja residence, that he saw hell during his time in the custody of the secrete police.

According to him, he miraculously recovered from gunshots fired at him by the military during the December 2015 attack on his residence in Zaria, Kaduna State.

In the case file before the Federal High Court, Zakzakky claimed that he and his wife last saw their passports with the National Intelligence Service (NIA).

The statement which was delivered through Abdullahi Usman, Vice President Media Forum of the IMN, read: “In their fundamental rights enforcement suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/230/2021, being filled by Falana chambers, Sheikh Zakzaky and Malama Zeenah Ibrahim told the court that their passports were last seen in possession of the National Intelligence Service (NIA) who have officially denied that it's in their possession.

“Subsequent to this the duo had since declared their passports lost. However, upon attempting to renew the passports through immigration it was revealed that their passports had been flagged by the DSS. All official requests to the DSS to remove the restriction have since then been ignored.

“They prayed the court to compel the two Respondents to release the passports to them or lift the ‘Red Flag' Restrictions on their passports. And enforce their fundamental rights to freedom of movement, and an order of perpetual injunction stopping the Respondents from further harassment and intimidating behaviour.

“They also prayed the Court to mandate the respondents to pay the sum of Two Billion Naira as general and exemplary damages for the violation of the Applicants rights to freedom of movement, fair hearing and property.

“They said in the absence of any court order, the seizure of the passports by the Respondents constituted a threat to their life, since they have denied them the opportunity to seek urgent medical attention outside the country as recommended by their Physicians.”