Nigerian Shiites To Shun FG Rights Abuse Probe Panel

The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN,) has given indication that it will not appear before a federal government panel to review rights abuses that allegedly saw over 348 of its members killed.

The Nigerian Army allegedly killed hundreds of members of the Shiite sect in December of 2015 in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Trouble started when some members of the IMN blocked a road and will not allow the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai to pass through.

Following local and international outcry over the incident, the federal government early in August set up a judicial commission to probe the abuse and similar others in the country.

The commission, inaugurated by the then Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has seven members and is headed by a justice of the court of appeal, Biobele Georgewill.

The IMN has said it will not appear or make any presentation before the panel and has questioned the credibility of the panel.

In a petition dated August 17, addressed to Osinbajo and signed by Abdullahi Danladi, the group raised some concerns about the composition of the panel.

“From the composition of this panel, it is noted that the military, the police and security agencies are all represented. This is not the case with the well-known community of victims of the alleged military violations such as us. With due respect to members in the panel, the “eyes” of the world renowned human rights bodies are also not on this panel.

“We noticed that even a member who served in the Kaduna state judicial commission is included. Similarly, another member who enjoys the confidence of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and who similarly served in the military investigation panel set up by the COAS himself that absolved the army of any wrongdoing has been included in this presidential panel as well. The sum of all this is that the independence and impartiality of this new panel is not in any way guaranteed.

“In what ways will this Presidential Investigation Panel be different from what the judicial commission of inquiry into Zaria incident set up by the Kaduna State government? Beyond perhaps its scope (now also looking at other rights abuses by the military in other places and time) we note very many similarities, which do not instil confidence in the process,” the petition said.

Members of the judicial commission include Mr. Georgewill as Chairman; and Patrick Akem, a major general, as member.

Other members are Wale Fapohunda, Hauwa Ibrahim, Jibrin Ibrahim, Ifeoma Nwakama, and a representative of the Office of the National Security Adviser.

“The Commission is expected to commence work immediately and submit its report within 90 days,” Mr. Osinbajo’s spokesperson, Laolu Akande, said.