BREAKING: Kaduna Bans Shiite Group, IMN.

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The Kaduna State Government has
issued an order declaring the Shiite
Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, an
unlawful society.
The government said the action was
taken to preserve peace and security
in the state, and to ensure that all
persons and organisations are guided
by lawful conduct and with due
allegiance to the Nigerian state and its
constitution.
“The Kaduna state executive council
approved the making of this order
following deliberations at its meeting
of Thursday, 06 October 2016,”
Samuel Aruwan, a spokesperson to
Governor Nasir El-Rufai, said in a
statementon Friday.
Friday’sannouncement occurs several
months after over 300 members of
the Shiite group were killed by
soldiers who accused them of
blocking a road and plotting to kill the
army chief. The IMN denied the
charges and said it was mainly
targeted in an extra-judicial killing.
To arrive at its decision, the Kaduna
government said it relied on the
findings of a panel it established to
investigate the army’s attack on the
Shiite group.
The group had refused to appear
before the panel saying it would not
do so unless its leader, Ibrahim El-
Zakzaky, and other members detained
by the government are released.
Mr. El-Zakzaky has been held by the
government since the December clash
and without any court order.
Read the full statement by the Kaduna
government on the ban below:
Kaduna declares Islamic Movement in
Nigeria unlawful society
Thursday, 06 October 2016.
The Order, which has been signed by
the Governor, draws on powers
vested by the Constitution and the
laws of Kaduna State. Section 45 (1) of
the Constitution categorically vests in
the Governor the powers to take such
measures and actions as are
necessary for the promotion and
protection of
:
1.
public safety, public order, public
morality or public health; or
2.
the rights and freedom of all persons
in Kaduna State.
Section 97A of the Penal Code (Cap
110, Laws of Kaduna State, 1991)
empowers the Governor to declare as
an unlawful society any organisation
whose activities are dangerous to the
security and good governance of the
state.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry
into the Zaria Clashes of 12-14
December 2015 found that the IMN is
not a registered organisation, that it
has a paramilitary wing and that its
members do not recognise or respect
the laws of the country and the duly
constituted authorities that have the
responsibility to secure and
administer the country.
The Declaration Order noted that since
the regrettable events in Zaria which
resulted in the loss of 347 lives, the
IMN “has overtly continued with
unlawful processions, obstruction of
public highways, unauthorized
occupation of public facilities
including schools without regard to
the rights of other citizens and the
public peace and order of the State”.
The Order noted that “these acts, if
allowed to go unchecked will
constitute danger to the peace,
tranquillity, harmonious coexistence
and good governance of Kaduna
State”.
The Declaration Order, which comes
into effect on Friday, 7 October 2016,
provides for the prosecution of
persons that may be in breach of its
provisions under the laws of Kaduna
State:
“Whoever manages, or is a member of
the said Society under any appellation
or mutation with the propensity of
causing the breakdown of law and
order, or operates in a manner
dangerous to the good governance of
the State shall, from commencement
of this order, be prosecuted in
accordance with the Laws of Kaduna
State.”
Sections 97A and 97B of the Penal
Code prescribe a penalty of
imprisonment for seven years or a
fine or both for any person convicted
for belonging to an unlawful society.
The Kaduna State Government
reaffirms its vigorous commitment to
upholding the right of citizens to
practice the religion of their choice.
These are rights fully protected by
Sections 38 and 40 of the
Constitution.
http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/212288-breaking-kaduna-bans-nigerias-foremost-shiite-group-imn.html