The Government of Federal Republic of Nigeria has reacted to what it describes as the unruly behaviour of terrorist Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) Leader, Alhaji Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, against the authorities of India, even as it apologises to New Delhi over the unfortunate experience.
Making this reaction in a statement issued and personally signed by Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Deaconess Grace Isu Gekpe, in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital on Wednesday and copy of which was sent to The DEFENDER, the Nigerian government noted its resolve to let the international communities know the true story of the El-Zakzaky’s unruliness as motivated by ulterior motives and stood on its ground that it would not budge to fall for pressure by a man under trial only permitted by court to travel on medicals and not tourism.
It was to the chagrin of government to see how the terrorist Shiites leader got to hospital personally chosen by him, Medanta Hospital, in country of his personal choice, India, only to begin to display attitude which contravenes the terms of court permitting his medical tour being swiftly complied to by the home government.
The Nigerian Government, explaining what transpired, daid: “The Court on 5th August, 2019 granted Sheikh Ibraheem EL-Zakzaky leave to travel to India for medical treatment. Consequently, the Government and its relevant agencies took steps to comply with the Order.
“In line with the Court Order, El-Zakzaky was approved to embark on the trip with State officials and his choice to be accompanied by his aides and personal Doctors was not opposed by the government.
“On 12th August, 2019, he and other members of the entourage went to India via Dubai. It is to be noted that El-Zakzaky particularly chose Medanta Hospital, India. However, on reaching Dubai, El-Zakzaky began to display ulterior motives against laid down procedures.
“He requested that his passport be handed over to him but the State officials would not budge to his pressure. The situation became worse in India as he refused to subject himself to preliminary medical checks.
“In addition, he demanded free movement and access to visitors of all kinds as well as requested to be allowed to check into a 5-Star Hotel instead of being admitted in the hospital. The request was refused on the ground that he came into the country for medicals and not as a tourist (more so that his Visa was issued on medical grounds and not for tourism). He also demanded that Police protection be withdrawn from him by the Indian authorities.
“Against medical ethics and standard practice, he requested to nominate Doctors of his choice to join the ones tasked by Medanta Hospital to perform medical treatment on him and his wife. This created a stalemate, which the Hospital insisted that he would not dictate to it on the choice of medical personnel to carry the required medical treatment.
“Frustrated by his antics, the Indian authorities have expressed willingness to return him to Nigeria with immediate effect. This is on the account that they will not allow him use their country to internationalize his group’s activities.
“Against this background, the Nigerian government wishes to commend the stand of the Indian Government as well as apologize to her for the unruly behaviour of El-Zakzaky. Similarly, the attention of the public and indeed the international community is hereby drawn to these unfortunate developments.
“The government also wishes to use this opportunity to affirm its readiness to undertake the prosecution of El-Zakzaky through due process if and when he is returned to the country. On this note, his foul cry that he is being held in circumstances worse than he was in Nigeria should be disregarded,” it said.
