Pro-democracy and good governance group, Concerned Nigerians has hailed the Nigerian judiciary over its ruling that granted bail to members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, also known as Shiites who have been standing criminal trial in Kaduna state.
The group, in a statement signed by its Convener, Prince Deji Adeyanju, said the ruling delivered by Justice Esther Lolo widely held perception of persecution of IMN by the Kaduna State government.
While celebrating with members of the movement over the legal victory against the Kaduna state government, Prince Adeyanju also said that the decision of Justice Lolo also boosts the confidence of the Nigerian populace in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
According to the statement, “ We have read reports of the discharge & acquittal of members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) who were standing trial before a Kaduna State High Court presided over by Justice Esther Lolo with a great degree of elation.
“In reaching her decision, Justice Lolo upheld the “No Case Submission” entered by lawyers to the defendants and declared that the Kaduna State government has failed to prove a prima facie case of Criminal Conspiracy, Unlawful Assembly, Rioting, Disturbance of Public Peace and Causing Grievous Hurt against the accused.
“Justice Lolo’s decision reaffirms the widely held perception of persecution of IMN by the Kaduna State government. It also boosts the confidence of the Nigerian populace in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
“We hope that other courts across the country will reach similar decisions and in so doing put a stop to the relentless persecution being carried out against members of IMN across various states in Northern Nigeria.”
