The Kaduna State governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has disclosed that the final report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into last December’s clash between the Nigerian Army and members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN better known as Shi’ites, in Zaria will be made available to the public even while the process for issuing a White Paper is ongoing.

The governor stated this on Friday while receiving the Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba-led commission’s report, stressing that though it has been classified top secret, the state government will evaluate the security implications before making it public.

The final report was initially billed to be turned in six weeks after the commission’s first public sitting, but following several requests, the state government granted an extension to enable all relevant parties appear before the inquiry.

The governor assured that the final report would be diligently studied to ensure that lessons were properly digested and the appropriate White Paper conveying government decisions on the inquiry’s recommendations issued promptly and the necessary follow-up actions taken.

According to him, “The Kaduna State government expected to receive the final report of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry six weeks after its first public sitting. But, following requests from the Commission, extensions had to be granted to enable all relevant parties to appear before the Inquiry.

“Although the Judicial Commission of Inquiry has powers to invite and compel the appearance of anybody or institution, the Commission decided not to compel attendance, opting for adjournments to encourage appearance.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Kaduna State, I wish to thank all the distinguished men and women who accepted to serve as members of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry.

“We are also grateful to Commission Secretary, Dr Bala Bubaji, and Malam Yusuf Ali, SAN, for his contributions as Counsel to the Inquiry. We acknowledge the efforts of Utaz Yunus Usman, SAN; assistant counsel to the Commission, and AU Mustapha, counsel to the State Government whom we congratulate on his elevation to the rank of SAN.

“I assure you all that this final report will be diligently studied to ensure that the lessons are properly digested, the appropriate White Paper conveying government decisions on the recommendations of the Inquiry is issued promptly and the necessary follow-up actions are taken.

“In the last three and half decades, Kaduna State has suffered too much from at least 10 rounds of ethnic and religious violence. We hope that the Inquiry process, and the Final Report that you have presented today will help ensure that the legacy of violent disorder, and the catastrophic toll in lives and property, are firmly consigned to the past.

“We hope that the inquiry process, and the final report that you have presented today will help ensure that the legacy of violent disorder, and the catastrophic toll on lives and property, are firmly consigned to the past” he stated.

Chairman of the panel, Justice Mohammed Lawal-Garba, said the commission received 3,500 memoranda within and outside the state during its sittings.

He said one of the parties, the IMN failed to appear before the panel for reasons best known to them even as a counsel to the sect had participated at the start of its sitting.

Justice Garba noted that failure of the shi’ites to appear resulted in the prolonged adjournments of the commission leading to extension of time to complete its assignment.