The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and three other leaders of the group have been charged to court.
El-Zakaky, Mallama Zeenah Ibrahim, Yakub Yahaya Katsina and Sanusi Abdulkadir Koki all identified as leaders of the IMN are facing eight counts bordering on culpable homicide, inciting disturbance and promoting unlawful assembly.
The Kaduna State Government filed the charges before the Kaduna State High Court of Justice, more than two years after the clash between the Nigeria Army and members of the sect led to his arrest.
All four defendants were accused of culpable homicide, an offence punishable by death, for causing the death of a soldier, Cpl Yakubu Dnakaduna.
A copy of the charge sheet shows that the state government filed the suit on April 19, 2018.
The first count reads, “That you, Mallam Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky, Mallama Zeenah Ibrahim, Yakub Yahaya Katsina and Sanusi Abdulkadir Koki being leaders of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria on or about the 12th day of December 2015 at Zaria agreed along with other members of the Sect to do an illegal act, to wit: while armed with dangerous weapons such as pistols, guns, dane guns, cutlasses, knives, catapult, axes, clubs and sticks blocked Sokoto Road, Sabon Gari, Zaria and other major roads within the environs and prevented the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff and the general public from gaining access to the roads and same act was done in pursuance of the said agreement and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 59 of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State 2017.”
The second charge reads, “That you, Mallam Ibrahim Al-Zakzaky, Mallama Zeenah Ibrahim, Yakub Yahaya Katsina and Sanusi Abdulkadir Koki being leaders of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria on or about the 12th day of December 2015 at Zaria abetted the commission of the offence of Culpable Homicide punishable with death by members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria which offence was committed by blocking Sokoto Road and major Roads in Zaria and its environs while armed with dangerous weapons such as such as pistols, guns, dane guns, cutlasses, knives, catapult, axes, clubs and sticks and in so doing caused the death of one 98NA/46/2900 Cpl Yakubu Dnakaduna of the Nigeria Army in the entourage of the Chief of Army Staff by shooting him with guns when the said 98NA/46/2900 Cpl Yakubu Dankaduna alighted from one of the vehicles in the entourage of the Chief of Army Staff in order to disperse the members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria and clear the road, which offence was committed in consequence of your abetment, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 47 and punishable under Section 190 of the Penal Code Law of Kaduna State 2017.”
Since the clash between the Shiites and members of the Nigeria Army on December 12, 2015, El-Zakzaky has been held by federal authorities.
His arrest and detention led to series of protests by Shiites in several parts of the country.
The protests have continued despite a ban on the IMN by the Kaduna State Government.
Recent protests in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, has turned violent with the police using tear gas to disperse the protesters who, for their part, pelted police vehicles and personnel with stones.
More to follow…
