Inability of the legal counsel to Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), popularly called the Shiites to gain access to their leader, Sheik Ibraheem Zakzaky on Wednesday again stalled the sitting of the Kaduna State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the December 2015 clash between Nigerian Army and IMN after which at least 705 sect members were allegedly left unaccounted for.
The Spokesman of IMN Ibrahim Musa, said the Shiites would not honour the invitation of the Commission if Zakzaky was not freed to give the brief of the sect.
The Commission at its inaugural sitting on Monday was unable to proceed with the hearing following complaint from the IMN counsel, Mr. Maxwel Kyon that he was not able to meet the leader of the IMN, Zakzaky, a core personality in the conflict.
Kyon appeared before the Commission Wednesday to complain that he was still unable to meet Zakzaky to prepare for the appearance of the IMN and pleaded for two weeks’ adjournment to enable him get access to his client.
He claimed the Directorate of State Services (DSS) had refused him access to Zakzaky.
Counsel to the Nigerian Army, Mr. Abba Audu, however opposed the two weeks’ adjournment arguing that it was untenable, going by the lifespan of the Commission.
Similarly, counsel to the Commission Usman Yunus Ustaz (SAN) objected to the plea, saying that two weeks was too long to be granted since the panel has six weeks to conclude its sitting.
Ruling on the matter, Chairman of the Commission, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Garba, said: “We are adjourning till February 29, to enable you to 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”.
Meanwhile, the spokesman of IMN Ibrahim Musa said the sect still stood by its earlier demand as condition for its appearance before the Commission.
-Vanguard