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We contribute money to feed, clothe El-Zakzaky in prison, say Shiites

By Niyi Bello, Abuja Bureau Chief
17 November 2018   |   3:21 am
The controversial claim by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed that the Federal Government was spending N3.5million monthly to feed detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has been debunked by the organisation.     Spokesman of the IMN, a religious group comprising Shiite Muslims in Nigeria, Muhammed Ibrahim…

[FILE PHOTO] The leader of Islamic Movement of nigeria otherwise known as Shi”te, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky

The controversial claim by the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Muhammed that the Federal Government was spending N3.5million monthly to feed detained leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has been debunked by the organisation.
   
Spokesman of the IMN, a religious group comprising Shiite Muslims in Nigeria, Muhammed Ibrahim Gamawa, said it is the sect that is feeding their leader, who has been in detention since 2016 adding: “Every food item that the Mallam has been eating in detention is sent there by our members.”
   
Gamawa who is the Head of IMN’s Resource Forum, led a three-man delegation on a courtesy visit to the Abuja Bureau of The Guardian last Thursday, “to set the records straight about the incessant clashes between our members and security forces in Nigeria and to put lies to the claims of the state that we are a violent group.”

Describing the minister’s claim as “terrible lies”, Gamawa said, “Up till this morning, we have been carrying the burden of feeding our leader. Every member of our movement make a monthly contribution of one hundred naira out of which we buy foodstuffs and even clothing for our detained leader who by every means, is a prisoner of conscience.

“The money we contribute is enough to take care of our needs in running our organization and we even paid on behalf of our dead members because we believe it is a contribution to smoothen their path to paradise.

“From this money, we buy foodstuffs on regular basis, which we give to government to feed our leader. They don’t feed him, we do.
 
“Besides, our leader, Mallam El-Zakzaky is advanced in age and he is so pious that he is always fasting anytime that he is well. So, how much food does he eat to be consuming N3.5 million worth of food every month? We know this time shall pass and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) would soon have the opportunity to check the kitchen where such costly food is being cooked.”

 

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