A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has warned the Department of State Services (DSS) to release Ibraheem Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and Zennah Ibraheem, his wife, or be in contempt of court.
The court which had on December 2, 2016, ordered the DSS to release Zakzaky and members of his family which the agency was yet to obey.
However, in a notice by the court registrar to the DSS, in which the Ibrahim Idris, Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and Abubakar Malami, Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) were copied, the Court declared that failure to obey the order within forty days would lead to contempt of court charges.
“Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the order of federal high court of justice delivered on the 2nd December, 2016, which ordered you to release the applicants in suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/281/2016 and its sister suit no FHC/ABJ/CS/282/2016 within forty days, inter alia you will be guilty of contempt of court and be liable to be committed to prison,” the notice, entitled ‘Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Order of Court’, read.
“A copy of the said order of earlier served on you is hereby annexed for your on-the-spot reference.
“This court has been informed that even as at Friday, the 20th January 2017, you are yet to comply with the lawful order of this honourable court by refusing to release the following persons namely; Sheikh El-Zakzaky and Mallama Zennah Ibraheem in your custody.
“You are hereby directed to comply with the court order forthwith or you will guilty of contempt of court.”