El-Zakzaky’s Followers Charged With Criminal Conspiracy, Remanded To Custody

Some members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria have been arraigned at the Chief Magistrate Court 1, Zaria Road, Kaduna and charged with criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbances.

It could not be confirmed if the plea of the accused were taken or if they had legal representation, but it was learnt that they had been remanded in prison custody.

Members of the group, who are Shi’ites, had clashed with the Nigerian Army about two weeks ago during which many of them were killed.

Their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, was subsequently taken into custody by the army before he was released to the police for investigation.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, told our correspondent on Tuesday that the Shi’ite members were being prosecuted for incitement and public disturbances among other charges.

She said, “Some Shi’ite members have been arraigned in court where they were charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting public disturbances among others; they have been remanded in prison custody and the case adjourned.”

The Shi’ite members had had a clash with the Army about two weeks ago during which about 20 persons were killed.

The army had accused the Shi’ite followers of attempting to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, but the Islamic movement said soldiers simply attacked “defenseless people.”

Following the bloody clash, armoured tanks were said to have demolished the Hussainiyya shrine and the residence of the leader of the sect in Zaria.

Sahara Reporters