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Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, has claimed that the federal government spends about N3.5 million monthly to feed Shiite leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, who has been in detention for over two years.
El-Zakzaky, leader of the Shiite IMN movement has been detained since December 2015 after soldiers clamped down on his supporters killing at least 347 of them. The army had accused them of blocking a public road being used then by Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.
El-Zakzaky has been detained by the government since the December 2015 incident. The government also ignored a court ruling that ordered that he be released and paid compensation alongside his detained wife, Zinat.
Mr El-Zakzaky was initially held for about two years alongside his wife, Zinat, without trial. After much public outcry, he was charged before a Kaduna court for alleged conspiracy and abating culpable homicide.
Mr Mohammed’s statement on the Shiite leader is believed to have been made on Wednesday, same day the Kaduna court denied Mr El-Zakzaky bail.
The minister had said his claim should be taken off record but unfortunately for him, the video found its way online.
Watch the video below: