Zaria Clash: We’ll not appear before panel — Shiite sect

FILE PHOTO: A demonstration staged in northern Nigeria, calling for the release of Ibrahim Zakzaky, depicted here on a banner in Kano, who was detained following a military crackdown on his followers ©Pius Utomi Ekpei (AFP/File)

The Shiite sect members on Thursday vowed not to appear before any panel of investigation set up by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to look into the Zaria clash between the Nigerian Army and the sect members.
In a statement signed by the spokesman of the sect, Ibrahim Musa, the members said they will not appear before the NHRC Panel because it has been compromised.
The Shiite member, who said the tenure of the Commission’s governing council had expired as at the time of setting up the Panel, claimed that under the Rules of the Commission, the Executive Secretary of the Commission lacks the constitutional powers to decide on petitions, cases and complaints of violations of human rights received from individuals or groups.
Earlier in a statement the sect members had agreed to appear before any panel set up by the National Human Rights Commission, but today made a U-turn when they came out to say they were no longer comfortable with the methodology adopted by the Commission in relation to the matter at hand.
The sect members, according to the statement, said a letter to that effect has already been sent to the chairman, Panel of Investigation, National Human Rights Commission.