A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to release the leader of the outlawed Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, within 45 days.

According to ceoafrica, Justice Gabriel Kolawole in his judgement ordered the Federal Government to provide an accommodation for El-Zakzaky, his wife and family members within Kaduna State or any part of the northern region.

The court declared the continuous detention of El-Zakzaky since December 13, 2015 as unlawful and illegal since the issue of protective custody was unknown to law or the National Security Agencies Act establishing the DSS.

The court further awarded the sum of twenty-five million Naira as general damages to be paid to Ibrahim El-Zakzaky who must be released unconditionally to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) within 45 days.

The IGP is also ordered to convey El-Zakzaky and his wife to the accommodation provided by the government.

The court also awarded 25m damages to Mrs Zakzaky, making a cumulative of 50 million Naira as general damages.

Sheikh El-Zakzaky was arrested by soldiers after long hours’ siege on his residence in Zaria on December 13, 2015.

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