Prison authorities say Shiite leader not in their custody

chika ebuzor

December 31, 2015 4:59 AM

This is contrary to reports making rounds in the media that the Shiite leader has been remanded in Prison custody.

Ibraheem El Zakzaky

The Controller of Kaduna Prisons, Abubakar Argungu, has revealed that the Shiite leader, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky is not in their custody.

Punch Newspapers reports that Argungu said “We only have 191 followers of the Shi’ite leader in our custody. But we do not have their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, with us.”

This is contrary to reports making rounds in the media that the Shiite leader has been remanded in Kaduna Prisons.

The Kaduna State Government also said it will soon announce members of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry that will investigate the recent Zaria unrest.

A statement issued by the Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Samuel Aruwan, said “The Kaduna State Government has largely completed work on the composition and the terms of reference of the proposed Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

“However, the government is still engaged in extensive consultations that are required prior to a formal announcement.

“Efforts are also being made to contact all the nominees for membership of the commission, as well as the secretariat and resource persons that will support the work of this important inquiry.”

Adding that “These consultations and contacts have been impacted by the holidays. Therefore, the Kaduna State Government will be delaying the announcement of the membership of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry until early in the New Year.

“Best efforts have been applied to ensure that the announcement is made within the two-week window envisaged when the decision to establish the commission of inquiry was made. But it has now emerged that a little more time is required.”

The Shiite sect leader was arrested following a clash between members of the sect and the Army, over an alleged to assassinate the Chief of Army Staff- Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai.

chika ebuzor