Femi Adi/Kaduna
FILE PHOTO: Shiite members on the day they clashed with the military in Zaria
Members of Islamic Movement of Nigeria, popularly known as Shiite sect, again refused to appear before the Judicial Commission or Inquiry set up to probe the clash between soldiers and members of the sect on grounds that they must have access to their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
They said their leader’s whereabouts remain unknown since he was arrested after last year’s bloody clash between in Zaria, Kaduna.
Though counsel to the Shiite members, Barrister Maxwell Kyon, appeared physically at the General Hassan Katsina State House Wednesday, the sitting was stalled due to the non appearance of the sect members.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Kaduna State government had adjourned Monday’s sitting till Wednesday with an order to the commission’s counsel, Alhaji Yusuf Ali (SAN) to facilitate how the counsel to the Shiite members could have access to El-Zakzaky within 24 hours.
Counsel to the Shiites, Barrister Kyon told the panel of inquiry that they had been able to have access to El-Zakzaky.
Kyon pleaded for two weeks adjournment to enable him get access to his client.
The Chairman of the Commission, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Garba, asked the counsel to the Nigerian Army, Mr. Abba Audu, whether he opposed the two weeks plea sought by Zakzaky’s counsel.
The Army counsel conceded to the plea on grounds that it was in the interest of justice.
A member of the Inquiry Commission, Usman Yunus Ustaz (SAN) objected to he plea, stressing that a grace of two weeks was too long to be granted since the panel has only six weeks to conclude its assignment.
The Commission’s Chairman did not grant Shiite members counsel’s plea for two weeks grace, but adjourned the sitting till Monday, 29 February, as a grace period for the counsel to get access to El-Zakzaky.
“We are adjourning till February 29, to enable you get access to your client, and whether you get access to him or not, you have to report back to the Commission so that we can continue with the proceedings,” Garba said.
Meqnwhile, fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the adjournment, Zakzaky’s counsel, Barrister Kyon disclosed that the embattled Shiites leader is in the custody of the Directorate of the State Security, adding that the police and other security agencies are preventing him from having access to his client.
Zaria Clash: Shiite members’ absence stalls panel’s sitting again
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