*He Ran A Parallel Government for 40 Years; says Gumi
Leader of the Shi’ite Islamic sect, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky has been remanded in prison custody by a chief magistrate. He was arraigned at the Chief Magistrates’ Court 1, Zaria Road, Kaduna and charged with criminal conspiracy and inciting public disturbances.Some of his supporters were arraigned along with him.
Police spokesperson Olabisi Kolawole confirmed the new development. She said:
“The Shi’ite leader has been arraigned at a magistrates’ court and charged with criminal conspiracy, inciting public disturbances, among others. He has been remanded in prison custody and the case adjourned.”
Recall that Zakzaky was arrested after his members blocked the path of the Chief of Army Staff in Zaria, that led to a clash with soldiers. Many sect members were killed.
Army Chief Lt.-Gen Tukur Buratai said last week that he was no longer in the custody of the army, but with the agency of government responsible for prosecution of suspects.
Inspector General of Police Solomon Arase confirmed that the Islamic leader was with them.
In his reaction to the saga, Kaduna-based Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi has alleged that Sheikh El-Zakzaky ran a parallel government in the North for 40 years.
Addressing reporters on Tuesday, Gumi said: “The Shi’ites have been embarking on military training and producing cadets and soldiers. They are operating a state within a state.”
According to him, “the Islamic Movement of Nigeria does not recognise the corporate entity of the country. The group is not registered. Members operate above the law and get direct foreign aid.”
Gumi said ex-President Umaru Yar’adua told him of the massive importation of arms and ammunition in parts of the country, citing Iran as a supplier of arms to the Shi’ites.
The doctor-turned Islamic scholar said the clash between Shi’ites and soldiers was “a divine intervention to prevent us from a catastrophe as that of Boko Haram."
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