ABUJA, Nigeria -                               The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Sunday, July 28, criticized the fresh court order for the proscription of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria better known as Shi’ites.

CAN accused the federal government of having impure intentions against the Islamic organisation.

The association further said the move by the federal government to obtain an ex-parte order to declare the organization and its members as terrorists betrayed its insincerity of purpose.

Also describing the proscription of the organisation as an intimidation by the federal government, the CAN leader called for a decisive action against other forms of criminality in Nigeria.

“So, we are concerned that the issue bothering Nigeria is not handled but the government is quick to deal with issues that discomfiture those in the corridors of power. Some of us disappointed.”

“Why can’t the government take decisive measure to deal with kidnappers, bandits and criminals and nip Nigeria’s insecurity in the bud? We feel there is no sincerity of purpose in the proscription of the Shiites,” he added.

On that same breath, the head of national and legal affairs directorate, Sameul Kwamkur, said it was not enough to declare any set of people as terrorists based on mere ex-parte order.

While confirming that some activities of the group are offensive, Kwamkur said the FG should also remember that many members of the IMN were killed extra judicially by security agencies at various times.

Calling on the Nigerian government to threat the leader of IMN fairly, Kwamkur said it is important for Ibrahim El-Zakzaky to face the law of the land.

“We will only speak as responsible religious leaders that the law should take its full course. So, the issue of proscribing them through an exparte application is not enough, because such thing should go through a rigorous court process to confirm that they truly possess the characteristics of a terror group," Kwamkur said.

“Government should treat them fairly. Nigerians should hear that the court has tried Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and found him wanting. We should also hear that their matter has been fully tried in court and found that they deserve to be proscribed and labelled as terrorists,"he said.