The proceedings in the second day sitting of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the December 12, 2015 violent clash between the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and the Nigerian Army, has been stalled.
The proceeding was stalled as a results of the inability of the counsel to the Islamic Movement in Nigeria to get access to the leader of the movement, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky.
During the resumed sitting on Wednesday, Counsel to the Shiites, Maxwell Kyon, who appeared before the Commission, pleaded for two weeks adjournment to enable him get access to his client, who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS).
While the counsel to the Nigerian Army, Abba Audu, did not oppose the appeal.
Lawyer to the Commission, Yunus Ustaz (SAN), objected to the prayer, stating that the two weeks request is too long taking into cognizance that the Commission has a limited time to conclude its sitting.
In his ruling, Chairman of the Commission, Justice Mohammed Garba, refused to grant the request for a two weeks adjournment on the grounds that the Commission has only six weeks to conclude its assignment and submit its report to the Kaduna State Government.
He, however, granted the Shiites’ counsel five days to get access to his client within which to report back to the Commission on whether or not he has had access to his client.
He, therefore, adjourned sitting till Monday, February 29, 2016.
Reacting to the ruling, Counsel to the Shiites, noted that the group may likely file their own memorandum to the Commission as soon as they have access to their leader, who has been in detention since December 2015.
