Falana asks DSS to release Shiite leader

An excerpt of a letter written to the DSS by Falana reads: “Even though our clients have not been told that they breached any law, they have been denied access to their lawyers, personal physicians, and family members for over three months,” Mr. Falana, a senior advocate of Nigeria, said in the letter dated April 5.

“Our clients were only permitted to meet with us last Friday after several requests made by us had been turned down without any legal basis.”

Premium Times reports that the Shiite leader and his wife have been detained since December 2015.

Falana also commented on the atrocities meted out to the the sect members since the violent clash with the Nigerian Army in December 12, 2015.

He said “Although our clients were not at the scene of the attack, the rampaging troops invaded their residence at Wali Street, Zaria, on December 14.

“The troops set the building ablaze and killed three of our clients’ children in their presence and thereby subjected them to untold mental agony.”

Falana also said “Thereafter, the armed soldiers shot our clients several times. As a result of the brutal attack, Sheikh Zakzaky lost his left eye while doctors are currently battling to save the right one.

READ: FG reportedly flew Shiite leader, El Zakzaky to France for treatment

“To compound the physical pain and mental anguish that our clients were subjected to in the circumstance, the Nigeria Police Force and State Security Service have held them incommunicado for the past three and half months.”

READ: Shiite sect says they are not forming alliance with Boko Haram

The Nigerian Army accused members of the Shiite sect of attempting to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.