Army/Shi’ites clash: Shi’a leader inaccessibility again stalls the sitting
Army/Shi’ites clash: Shi’a leader inaccessibility again stalls the sitting
By Abubakar Sani and Godwin Ekosin, Kaduna
Inability of legal counsels to leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) also known as Shi’ite sect, Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, on Wednesday distorted sitting of the judicial Commission of Inquiry (JCI) set up by Kaduna State Government to look into the clashes between the Nigerian army and members of the Movement.
Recall, that the probe panel had on Monday adjourned the hearing till Wednesday owing to the fact that the counsel to Zakzaky could not appear before it, because he needed to hear from the sect’s leader before he could say anything on his behalf.
But then, one of the counsels to IMN, Mr. Maxwel Kyon, appeared before the Commission yesterday, but pleaded for two weeks extension to enable him access his client.
However, Chairman of the Commission, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Garba, sought the position of counsel to the Nigerian Army, Mr. Abba Audu on the request which did not oppose.
However, one of the counsels to the Commission, Usman Yunus Ustaz (SAN), objected the plead, saying that two weeks was too long to be granted since the panel has only six weeks to conclude its sitting.
The Commission’s chairman however, adjourned the sitting till Monday, February 29, as a grace for the counsel to get access to his client.
“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”. Panel Chairman said.
The Islamic Movement had before now faulted the 13-man composition of the panel, saying some of its members are already against the Movement.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after the adjournment, Zakzaky’s counsel, Mr. Maxwel Kyon disclosed that the embattled Shiites leader is in the custody of the Directorate of the State Security (DSS), adding that the police and other security agencies are preventing him from having access to his client.
Posted from GoBroadsheet