Contents

1. Background
2. Requested Action
3. Sample emails

Background

IHRC is demanding that Nigeria’s State Security Services immediately release Mu’allim Ibrahim Zakzaky, Head of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria

In December 2015 Sheikh Zakzaky’s house was demolished and he was injured and arrested. He has been held since then without any charges or a trial.

The court in the capital Abuja has ordered that the State Security Services free Zakzaky and his wife Zeenah and the deadline for doing so is 15 January 2017. The State Security Services must implement the rule of law. Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife must be freed immediately and it must be ensured that they are protected and kept safe from the elements that caused events like the Zaria massacre in 2015.

Requested Action

1. Please contact the President of Nigeria and demand that Sheikh Zakzaky is immediately released

Sample emails

1. Letter to the President of Nigeria

info@statehouse.gov.ng

H.E. President Muhammadu Buhari
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
Office of the President
Aso Rock, Abuja
Nigeria

Dear President Buhari,

I am writing to you to urge you to secure the release of Mu’allim Ibrahim Zakzaky, Head of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).

I am sure you are aware that Zakzaky’s house was demolished and he was injured and arrested by the Nigerian military on 14 December 2015, and has been held since without any charges or a trial.

Since then Zakzaky has been under house arrest and applied to the High Court to be released. On 2 December 2016, the High Court ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to release Zakzaky within 45 days. The deadline is 15 January 2017 and we fear that the State Security Services will fail to release him on time.

I urge you to pressure the DSS to release Mu’allim Zakzaky in line with the court order and to ensure his safety from further attacks or arbitrary detention. I urge you not to miss this opportunity to deliver justice and to demonstrate to the international community that Nigeria upholds the rule of law. It is important that the rule of law is applied and followed to avoid further staining the reputation of Nigeria.

Yours sincerely,
Your name