The Islamic Movement in Nigeria failed to send representatives to the Judicial Commission of Inquiry set up by the Kaduna state government to investigate the circumstances that led to the clash between the Nigerian Army and the Shi’ite members on December 12, 2015.

While the Nigerian Army, on Monday, sent representatives to the public sitting of the Commission, none of the Shi’ite members were present at the hearing in Kawo, Kaduna on Monday.

The Commission was said to have been given prior notification by Shi’ites lawyers that they could not submit memorandum because they were not allowed access to the leader of the Movement, Ibraheem El-Zakzaky for directives on whether to attend the public hearing or not.

Consequently, the Chairman of the commission, Justice Muhammadu Lawal Garba adjourned sitting to Wednesday, February 24 as a result of the absence of the members of the Islamic movement.

“This sitting has to be adjourned till Wednesday because of the absence of one party involved in the inquiry. Counsel to the commission, Yusuf Ali (SAN) has been asked to find out the whereabouts of the leader of the Shiites and report back to the commission.”

“It is required by law for every party in the clash to be present at all the sittings of the proceedings.”

Subsequently, Justice Garba directed the counsel to the Commission, Yusuf Ali, to find the whereabouts of El-Zakzaky and report back to the commission at the next sitting.