Islamic movement petitions ICC over alleged genocide against Shi’ites by El-Rufai 

•Seeks prosecution of gov 
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 to journalists, yesterday, in Abuja, the lawyer to the Islamic group, Bala Dakum, alleged that since his assumption of office in 2015, El-Rufai has engaged in acts of genocide and crimes against humanity, targeted at exterminating the Shi’ites from the state.

He said: “Our clients have witnessed reigns of terror and unprovoked attacks since the infamous Zaria pogrom, wherein about a thousand innocent Shiite Muslims were killed. Most 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 the governor to ensure Shiite Muslims are extinct in Nigeria, particularly, in Kaduna, compelled us to petition the ICC.”

He added 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 from 2015, when El-Rufai assumed office as governor.

He added: “The essence of the petition, which was submitted this week, is to invite ICC to initiate investigations into atrocious genocide and crimes against humanity committed by El-Rufai in the last eight years, which looked like eternity on the sight of our clients.”

Dakum alleged that Buratai and all police commissioners, who had served in the eight year government of El-Rufai, were believed to have aided the referenced crimes.

He said: “Our clients are confident that ICC, which is empowered under the Rome Statute to initiate investigations and prosecute persons involved in crimes against humanity, as well as genocide, will act expeditiously. This will help curtail excesses of El-Rufai, which, if not addressed, will escalate to other states of the federation and egregious atrocities will be committed against our clients.”