The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) has called on the Federal and Kaduna state governments to release its leader, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, in view of the trying times facing the country due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The call was made by the Movement in a press statement issued yesterday, Saturday, April 10, by the president of its Media Forum, Ibrahim Musa.

IMN said “there are many valid reasons on which his release should foremostly be considered by the authorities.”

“Sheikh Zakzaky deserves immediate freedom for very many reasons particularly at this difficult period that the nation is facing the scourge of Coronavirus. Chiefly among these, he remained in detention despite a 2016 federal high court ruling that declared his arrest and detention as unlawful, unconstitutional and a breach of his fundamental rights,” the Movement said.

It noted that even the court case for which the Sheikh is being prosecuted in Kaduna shouldn’t stand against his release at these difficult times, because “two different Kaduna high courts have since discharged and acquitted almost 200 members of the Islamic Movement, who stood trial for the same charges he is allegedly said to have aided and abetted, for which he is currently unfairly being tried as a ploy to justify his perpetual detention.”