Kaduna magistrates’ court arraigns 41 Shiite minors

Forty-one of the 43 minors of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) known as Shiites were yesterday brought before the magistrates’ court in Kaduna State. Two of the children, less than seven years old, were removed on the order of the magistrate because they were too small to face trial.

Presenting his case file before the chief magistrate, Ibrahim Musa, the police prosecutor, DSP Martins Leo, told the court that investigation into the matter had been concluded. Leo said the case file would be sent to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice, considering the age of the defendants, and therefore asked for a new date for mentioning.

However, counsel to the defendants said that while he was not against the file being taken to the Ministry of Justice, he would prefer the court to adjourn the case for hearing and not mentioning, adding that delay of the trial would not be in the best interest of the minors.

He argued that prolonging the case would be exposing the defendants to the media organisations interested in the case. Musa adjourned the matter till July 2 for hearing.The Shiite minors were arrested in Kaduna by the police for alleged unlawful procession, gathering in large number with black attire, even as the movement had been proscribed in the state.