Members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, otherwise known as Shi’ites, have accused President Muhammadu Buhari of disrespecting the rule of law by detaining their leader, Sheikh Ibrahim El ZakZaky and many of his followers for months without charging them to court.
Right groups have continued to insist that no fewer than 300 members of IMN were killed in the deadly clash that happened between the sect and the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Tukur Buratai’s motorcade last December. Hundreds more are alleged to be either missing or are in the state custody.
A statement issued last night by the IMN spokesman, Ibrahim Musa reads, “We asked the government, why should they detain someone for over 70 days without any charge and without giving access to his lawyers?
“President (Muhammadu) Buhari is not following the rule of law. In our own case, all the rules concerning arrest, detention, have been broken.”
The IMN has refused to appear before a commission of inquiry set up in January by the Kaduna state government to explain its side of the story regarding the Zaria clash. They insisted on not appearing before the commission, which they have accused of bias, until lawyers are able to meet Zakzaky and he gives them the go-ahead.
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