By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Kaduna.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Zaria clash between the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) populalrly called Shi’ite and the Nigerian Army has been granted a four-week extension to conclude its job.
The Kaduna State Government granted the extension at the request of the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry Justice Muhammed Lawal Garba, a statement by Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai’s media aide, Samuel Aruwan claimed.
“When the Commission of Inquiry was inaugurated, it was given six weeks from its first sitting to submit its final report. With the first public sitting holding on 22nd February 2016, the final report of the Commission was expected by 4th April 2016. However, proceedings of the commission have been repeatedly adjourned since its first public sitting. The adjournments were granted to enable the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) to submit a memorandum.
“Four subsequent sittings of the Commission on 24th February, 29th February, 7th March and 14th March 2016 also ended in adjournments as the Commission of Inquiry sought to provide a level playing ground and opportunity for fair fairing to all parties involved in the subject of the inquiry. These adjournments have taken up the time allotted to the Inquiry, and as such more time is required to conduct the business of the inquiry and submit a final report.
“Following a formal request by Justice Muhammed Lawal Garba, chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry, the government of Kaduna State has given the Commission four more weeks to complete the inquiry” the statement concluded.
