Two prominent lawyers, Femi Falana and Mike Ozekhome, have condemned the Federal Government’s decision to proscribe the Islamic Movement f Nigeria, also known as Shiites.
The duo separately described as illegal the decision, despite the fact that it came through a court.
For Falana, who is also the movement’s lawyer, the decision is also immoral.
Speaking in a statement on Saturday, Ozekhome said it was wrong to brand the group as terrorist.
Ozhekhome said, “What group could be more terrorist than the herdsmen and their known anchor, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, that has held Nigeria down by the jugular for years, killing, maiming, burning, raping, turning Nigeria into a crimson field of bloodbath?
“They (IMN) are demanding the release of their leader still kept in government dungeon in spite of several court orders The Shiites group is a religious group, like the President’s Sunni group. It is not an association that could be banned.
“Section 10 of the Nigerian Constitution makes Nigeria a secular state. You can’t ban religion, a people’s belief. There is also freedom of thought, conscience and religion in section 38, while sections 40 and 41 allow for freedom of movement and association.”
Ozekhome lamented that it was unfortunate that the nation’s constitution “is ruthlessly being shredded by an intolerant and overbearing civilian dictatorship.”
