DSS Spent N164.5m Feeding Ibrahim El-Zakzaky – Report

A report by Punch has revealed that the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, was fed by the Department of State Services with the sum of N164.5 million.

El-Zakzaky who was recently transferred to the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Kaduna, had been in the DSS custody upon his arrest on December 12, 2015.

Recall that Justice Gideon Kurada in his ruling at Kaduna State High Court had ordered the agency to transfer the IMN leader and his wife, Zeenat to the Kaduna correctional centre.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, revealed in November 2018 that the Federal Government fed the IMN leader with the sum of #3.5m.

The report revealed that El-Zakzaky had been fed with a total of #164.5m since his detention since December 12, 2015.

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, while reacting to this report stated that #164.5 million was not only spent for feeding of El-Zakzaky but on security as well.

“The N3.5m monthly feeding on El-Zakzaky is not only about his food, but other expenses on security men attached to him. The security men are permanently stationed with him, they surround where he is kept,” he said.

Femi Falana, in his position, stated that the cost of feeding will continue to rise since the Shiites leader is in prison and is therefore still being taken care of with taxpayers’ money.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria added that the IMN leader was granted bail many times but the order was disobeyed by the Federal Government until the Kaduna State government charged him to court nearly three years after his arrest.

The activist said, “El-Zakzaky is now in prison but he is still being taken care of by the Federal Government with taxpayers’ money.”