A Kaduna State High Court, on Friday, discharged and acquitted 100 members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), otherwise known as Shi’ites, in a case brought against them by the Kaduna State Government in connection with the 2015 massacre of IMN members.
This came after another court had previously acquitted about 100 members of the group in the same case.
Recall that the Nigerian military in 2015 opened fire on members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria popularly called Shiites, killing hundreds, in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The military, in another attack, fired live bullet at the procession of the Shi’ites members, killing children of leader of the group, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky,
After the onslaught, the military arrested El-Zakzaky and his wife while the state government took about 200 members of the IMN into custody, charging them to court on frivolous and trumped up charges.
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Delivering the latest judgment, on Friday, the court absolved both the leadership and membership of IMN of any blame in the events leading up to the Zaria massacre.
Describing the court process as ‘fair’, the group added that the victory was for truth and justice against tyranny and impunity
“With this victory today, the false charges filed against leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria and his wife of aiding and abetting the alleged culpable homicide by these same discharged persons have been punctured for good.
“This total and comprehensive victory in court is a further proof that the Islamic Movement and its leader have been only victims of impunity and mischievous plots by the government.
“We, therefore, urge the Kaduna State Government to swallow its pride and withdraw the fake charges it filed against the Sheikh and his wife, and release them immediately.”
The group expressed gratitude to members of the civil society, human rights activists, journalists and all those that joined in the dogged campaign for justice for the victims of Zaria genocide.
