• Seeks Gov. el-Rufai’s Prosecution
The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) has urged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate and prosecute the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, for alleged genocide against the Shi’ites Muslim sect in the state.
Speaking in Abuja, yesterday, the group’s lawyer, Bala Dakum, alleged that since el-Rufa’s assumption of office in 2015, he has engaged in acts of genocide and crimes against humanity targeted at exterminating the Shi’ites Muslim Sect from Kaduna State.
He said: “Our clients have witnessed reigns of terror and unprovoked attacks since the infamous Zaria pogrom, wherein about 1000 innocent Shiite Muslims were killed.
Many of them lost their lives in the course of exercising their rights to freedom of religion, peaceful assembly and expression, which are all guaranteed under Sections 38, 39 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“The unabated, deliberate and well-calculated machinations by el-Rufai to ensure that the Shiites are extinct in Nigeria, particularly in Kaduna, his homestate, compelled us to petition the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He said the group had already petitioned the ICC in that regard, adding that the court was also urged to investigate and prosecute former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.) and all commissioners of police, who served in Kaduna State from 2015 when el-Rufai assumed office as the governor.
Dakum alleged that Buratai and all police commissioners, who had served in el-Rufai’s eight-year government, were strongly believed, to have aided in committing the crimes under reference.
Bala therefore, urged the in-coming government not to give el-Rufai any federal appointment, just as Buratai was given ambassadorial appointment by the Muhammadu Buhari-led government, in order not to portray the country in bad light.
