NewsRescue
In the latest twist in the bewildering Nigeria vs Zakzaky case, the Nigerian government is planning on arraigning Sheikh Zakzaky at the Kaduna judicial panel on their own testimony of him absent his lawyers.
In what appears to be a move at the top of instances of gross perversion of justice, following the Tuesday withdrawal from the panel of the Islamic movement legal counsel headed by Femi Falana SAN, the Nigerian government desperate to carry out its ‘inquiry’ and indict the movement has announced as contained in a DailyTrust press release, that it has spoken with Zakzaky and will be presenting his case for him at their panel absent his legal representation.
Quote from DailyTrust:
The counsel to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the clash between the Nigerian Army and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) Yusuf Ali, yesterday told the commission that he was able to see the IMN leader, Sheik Ibraheem El-Zakzaky who agreed to participate in the inquiry. The commission however again adjourned sitting yesterday to allow the movement submit its memorandum to commence proper public hearing. *The IMN’s legal team led by Festus Okoye, had on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction with the commission and announced discontinuation of appearances before it. But counsel to the commission, Yusuf Ali, said the counsels to the IMN were however not present during the meeting with their leader. *Ali the lead counsel to the IMN, Femi Falana was also not aware of the withdrawal of the legal team of the IMN from the commission. *The Nigeria Army through its counsel had opposed the application for adjournment, saying much time had been wasted and the commission could continue with the hearing while the IMN could be allowed to participate any time it was ready with its memo.*Chairman of the commission, Justice Muhammadu Garba Lawal in his ruling, noted that since the commission had adjourned its sittings all this while in the bid to allow the IMN access its leader to get a proper briefing, it would not be proper to continue hearing without the movement. *He said since the IMN leader had finally been seen and had indicated interest in participating in the inquiry, it was only right to allow the movement time to prepare and submit its memo and adjourned sitting to April 6. Read full
Whether Sheikh Zakzaky is still alive or has been extrajudicially killed as Nigeria did to former Jama’atu Ahlis Sunnah Lidda’awati wal-Jihad leader, Mohammed Yusuf, is not known.
The inability of the Nigerian government to allow anyone see Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat as constitutionally guaranteed is shocking to local and international observers.
Stay tuned for more as we watch whether Nigeria will actually go ahead with this crazy idea.
