Army/Shiites clash: Court begins trial of accused persons in Kaduna

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Army/Shiites clash: Court begins trial of accused persons in Kaduna

A Kaduna State High Court on Thursday began hearing on case between the state government and members of Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, in the clash between Nigerian Army and members of IMN last year in Zaria.

Justice Wyoms, who presided over the case, with charge no KDH/KAD/37C/2016, Mohammed Awaolu Yakubu and 40 others, and charge no KDH/KAD/39C/2016 Mustapha and 49 others, adjourned the hearing to 14, 15 and 16th November, 2016 for further hearing after the prosecuting counsel prayed for more time to present some of his witnesses who are on official assignment outside the state.

This was coming a day after Kaduna state Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Daura road, Kaduna remanded 11 suspects in prison custody for allegedly attacking the Shiites shrine in Kaduna last week.


Counsel to IMN, Barrister Maxwell Kyon said he was satisfied with the adjournment as it would afford all the parries involved ample time to present their case before the court.

“The state has charged members of IMN to court based on that incident that occurred in December last year. Two of the matters which were consolidated by High Court sitting in Court 6 came up for hearing today, with three witnesses from prosecuting counsel.

“I think it is too early to comment on what we expect to see at the end of the day, considering the evidence brought forward,” he said.

But Director of Publication Prosecution, Kaduna State, Barr. Bayero Dari, said, “We called about five police officers to testify in support of all the charges we levelled against all the accused persons based on unlawful assembly, culpable homicide, among others.


“And then, we applied for a day to call the rest witnesses who are currently on official assignment outside the state. The court has graciously adjourned the case till 14,15 and 16 of November for continuation of the hearing.

“My prayer is that this matter be judiciously handled. The state should be given the opportunity to defend itself. We believe we have a good case because we have the evidence,” he said.