It is not a welcome home for the Sheikh

The El-Zakzaky case has become a most complicated case for Nigeria. The Nigerian press is awash with stories of the dramatic repatriation of the Sheikh and his wife from India.

The Sheikh accuses Nigerian, US and Indian governments of frustrating his court approved treatment in India. While the US dismissed the allegation of any American involvement as baseless, Nigerian government has, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provided its own account of events, accusing El-Zakzaky of various acts of bad faith, including some undisclosed plan to seek asylum.

Apparently, the Sheikh saw his medical trip to India as an opportunity to gain further International sympathy for his cause. But when hundreds of Indians picketed the Nigerian High Commission in India, demanding release of El-Zakzaky, it became a nightmare for both Nigeria and India. Hence, no surprise in his repatriation.

The Sheikh arrived Nigeria by noon on Friday, August 16, 2018 and was immediately seized by men of the Department of State Services (DSS) and driven away to a place where they would detain him.

The development has shocked every objective observer. It was a sigh of relief when the court granted leave for him to receive treatment overseas. That was seen as the dawn of a solution to the long standing impasse between the Nigerian Shiite Muslims and the government of Nigeria which has cost each side so much. The dramatic return of the Sheikh thwarts that hope.

This is an opportunity for Nigerian government to show maturity and discipline which has eluded it so far in the handling of this case. The detention of El-Zakzaky has cost Nigeria a lot in security and International relations. Many are seriously wondering the benefit in his continued detention.

To deny him bail while approving foreign medical trip was a disaster. It was because he was not on bail that necessitated the protest against Nigeria in India. Also, the fear of him getting asylum seems to be exaggerated. What is fueling the protests by his followers is his incarceration, not his freedom outside Nigeria. It would have been better to release him on bail, but closely monitor his activities within Nigeria.

It is not a welcome home for the Sheik.