Zaria clash: Judiciary Commission of Inquiry kick-start public hearing Monday
Zaria clash: Judiciary Commission of Inquiry kick-start public hearing Monday
The Judiciary Commission of Inquiry, set up by Kaduna State Government to look into clashes between Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) and Nigerian Army (NA) in Zaria, has announced that its public hearing on the issue, will begin tomorrow, Monday, 22nd February, 2016, at the State House, Kawo, Kaduna.
The Commission also added that it has extended the period of submission of memoranda to that same Monday, 22nd, in order to provide members of the public who may still wish to submit their memoranda to the commission the opportunity to do so.
The call, which was contained in a statement signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Dr. Bala Babaji, said its Chairman, Justice Muhammad Lawal Garba, had received more than 100 written memoranda from various groups, associations, religions and members of the public.
The statement read in part, “The commission wishes to inform members of the public that, it has extended the period of submission of memorandum from Tuesday, 16th, February to Monday, 22nd, February 2016, with a view to providing additional time to members of the public who may still wish to submit their memoranda to the commission. It also covers interest for oral submission.
“The Commission also wishes to advice those residing in Zaria and its environs, who cannot reach its secretariat in Kaduna, to submit their memoranda at the office of the legal officer, Zaria local government council.”
The Commission, which has 13 terms of reference, would inquire into the immediate causes of the clashes, determine the historical circumstances surrounding, contributory factors and remote causes of the clashes. It will also ascertain the number of persons killed, wounded or missing during the clashes and make appropriate recommendations accordingly.
“The Chairman hereby appeals to all stakeholders involved in the matter, to cooperate with members of the Commission during its sitting for a successful execution of its assignment,” the statement added.
The 13 member JCI is expected to submit its final report to the State government six weeks after the commencement of the first public sitting.
