Islamic group alleges genocide, heads to ICC

ICC headquarters, Hague. Image source wikipedia

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shiites has taken the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government of Nigeria to the International Criminal Court (ICC), Hague for allegedly killing and maiming scores of its members during the clash with soldiers in Zaria, Kaduna.

Also, the judicial commission of inquiry probing the clash yesterday adjourned proceedings again as the legal team of the Islamic body claimed it was denied access to Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

Addressing a press conference, the media officer to the group, Mallam Ibrahim Musa, said that the legal team of the Shiites has been directed to institute an action of genocide against the Army and the Federal Government at the ICC, pointing out that: “We have completely lost confidence in the judicial commission of inquiry. They have so far failed to enforce their orders to the security forces to allow access to Sheikh El-Zakzaky.

“We have resolved to seek redress elsewhere. Today, we have submitted a petition to the International Criminal Court in
Hague. Details will be made public in due course.”

“Secondly, we have decided to head to the courts. Our lawyers will address a press conference tomorrow on the way forward,” Musa added.

According to him: “Rather than apologise for the various acts of genocide and violation of the fundamental rights of the movement, the Kaduna State Government with the leadership of the Nigerian military moved and set up a judicial commission of inquiry with skewed terms of reference.”

Meanwhile, as the judicial panel resumed sitting in Kaduna yesterday, it failed to take the memorandum of the Army as promised at the last adjournment. It again adjourned proceedings till next week.

The reason for the adjournment, according to the Chairman of the commission, Justice Muhammadu Garba Lawal, was to give the counsel to the IMN a final opportunity to have access to their leader.

He said: “The commission has considered the unexpected application by the counsel to the commission for yet another adjournment to enable counsel to the IMN have access to their leader.

“The commission has granted the application and adjourned proceedings till Wednesday, March 23, 2016 and to also take the presentation from the Army.”

Emeka

Nigeria under a quasi military dictatorship. The government of Buhari has not in any way shown any semblance of running a democracy.The Islamic movement has the right to petition to ICC and i hope ICC will pay appropriate attention to this petition. The Biafran group should also petition to ICC. While i neither have a clear support for the Shiites (IMN) and Sheikh El- Zakzaky nor IPOB and Nnamdi Kanu, i am totally against the massacre of unarmed and defenseless Nigerian citizens. The use of pressure warm water or tear gas to handle a situation like a procession and protest gone violent is the best strategy to apply at that point. And for the president and his team to condone or defend such an act of wanton use of military weaponry in such a situation makes the leadership a quasi military dictatorship in a democratic system. This Nigerian President seems to be used to bloodshed. I am truly worried.
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  At the time we were calling on President Jonathan to have headlong collusion with Boko Haram , he was foot dragging .He insisted that we are in a democratic atmosphere , Today we have moved from democratic atmosphere to military atmosphere to deal with Boko Haram and of course, belatedly .

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