Godwin Tsa, Abuja

The Federal Government has accused Shiekh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), of being sponsored by Iran to replicate in Nigeria the 1979 violent revolution that led to the forceful takeover of power in the Gulf country.

In a fresh process filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, yesterday, the Federal Government stressed that members of the IMN do not recognise President Muhammadu Buhari’s authority.

It argued that the plan of the IMN leader and his sponsors was to forcefully turn the Nigeria to an Islamic state.

The Federal Government, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the suit the IMN filed to challenge the order that proscribed its activities in Nigeria. It told the court that the relationship between El-Zakzaky and Iran started shortly after the said revolution that toppled a sitting government.

It said El-Zakzaky, who was a Shia activist in the university, was “heavily influenced” by the Iranian revolution, and had since galvanised his followers and brainwashed them to “unleash mayhem against the Nigerian state and its citizens.”

In a 56-paragraph counter-affidavit deposed to by the deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations, FCT Command, Enyinnaya Adiogu, on behalf of government, told the court that he had the consent of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, and the Inspector-General of Police to depose to the affidavit.

DCP Adiogu said: “That from history and facts available, the movement called Islamic Movement in Nigeria, founded by El-Zakzaky, has its sole aim of creating an Islamic state.

“That Sheikh El-Zakzaky was heavily influenced by the Iranian revolution, which saw Ayatollah Khomeini take power in 1979 after the overthrow of the Shah in a popular uprising.

“Khomeini remains the Islamic Movement in Nigeria’s main inspiration.

“That members of IMN first pledge allegiance to Khomeini at their gatherings, and then to their local leader, Sheikh Zakzaky.

“The IMN views itself as a government, and Sheikh Zakzaky as the only legitimate source of authority in Nigeria, and it does not recognise the authority of the Nigerian government, and views its leaders, both Muslims and Christians, as corrupt and ungodly.

“That the Islamic Movement in Nigeria began with a Shia Muslim university activist, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, who became so impressed with the 1979 revolution in Iran that he wanted one at home (Nigeria).

“Later, El-Zakzaky went to Iran, ultimately becoming a Shia cleric.

“That on his return home, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky formed the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and turned it into a vehicle for proselytizing and gaining followers in the 1990s.

“That till date, Sheikh El-Zakzaky enjoys the support of Iran in all the activities of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, including the agenda to make Nigeria an Islamic state.

“That as a result of El-Zakzaky’s movement’s activities, many Muslim youths have converted to Shia Islam of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

“That the main aim of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria is to propagate the ideology in Iran and turn the country (Nigeria) into an Islamic state as was done in the Iranian revolution of 1979.”