KADUNA — The Kaduna State High Court has freed the embattled leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zinat.
In a judgment that lasted for over eight hours, the presiding judge, Justice Gideon Kurada, upheld the no-case submission filed by Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zinat, in an alleged culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, and disruption of public peace levelled against them by the Kaduna state government.
The judge in his ruling admitted that the prosecution (Kaduna State Government) failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants.
The duo has been in detention while standing trial for four years on an eight-count charge of alleged culpable homicide, disruption of public peace and unlawful assembly among others as leveled against them by the Kaduna State Government.
The defendants on Wednesday appeared in court led by the officials of the Nigerian Correctional service amidst tight security.
The lead counsel for the religious leaders and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, had on July 1, argued that all the 15 witnesses presented by the prosecution counsel were unable to establish any connection between the alleged crimes of Sheikh El-Zakzaky and his wife.
The Human Rights lawyer prayed the court to rule in favour of the IMN leader and dismiss the charges leveled against them as there was no criminal case that has been established against them so far by the Kaduna State Government.
Following El-Zakzaky’s arrest by the military on December 13, 2015, the IMN leader had experienced what may be described as a long contentious trial.
He marked his first appearance on May 15, 2018 where he was arraigned before a Kaduna High Court amidst tight security.
The Department of Security Services (DSS) had held the Shiite leader in detention despite a court order ordering his release.
However, the DSS complied with the court order and freed El-Zakzky who proceeded to India for medical treatment.
El-Zakzaky and his wife left Nigeria in August 2019 Monday for India following a ruling of the Kaduna State High Court which granted them permission to be treated in the country.
On their arrival at the hospital where treatment was expected to commence, the trip turned controversial.
However, the DSS complied with the court order and freed El-Zakzaky who proceeded to India for medical treatment.
Upon his return to Nigeria in August 2019, he alongside his wife were taken into custody, four days after they travelled to the Asian country.
