Shi’ite group challenges proscription in court

Yusuf Bello|

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) on Friday filed a suit challenging the decision of the federal government to proscribe the group on the orders of Abuja high court.

In the suit filed before justice Nkeonya Maya, the group is challenging the ex parte application filed before the court by the federal government and has urged the court to set aside the proscription order on them.

IMN legal counsel, Haruna Magashi, said in the suit that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the ex parte order against IMN, a non-jurist body which is not yet registered.

Magashi equally argued that the order breached the fundamental right to a fair hearing, freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

Magashi said,“We pray the court to set aside, discharge and or vacate the ex-parte order of this Hon court made on 26 July 2019, declaring the activities of the respondent as amounting to act of terrorism and illegality.”

“An order setting aside or vacating the order of the court proscribing the existence and activities of the respondent in any part of Nigeria

“An order restraining any person or group of person from participating in any manner in any of the activities of the respondent under any circumstance.”

A federal high court in Abuja last Friday ordered the proscription of the movement following an application by the federal government.