By Our Correspondent
A Kaduna State High Court on Monday granted medical leave to the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, known as Shi’ites, Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat.
Zakzaky and his wife had through their counsel, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN applied to the court seeking to travel an Indian Hospital for medical attention on the grounds of their deteriorating health condition.
They application which was rejected by the Kaduna State Government, for fear that Zakzaky and wife may jump bail upon granted the bail.
But, when the matter came up on Monday for ruling, Justice Darius Khobo held that evidence before him proved that the Shiite leader and his Wife were in serious and urgent need of medical attention.
He also added that an official of the State Government must accompany the Sheik Zakzaky and his Wife to the hospital.
He said, trials of the main matter would resume as Soon as the accused persons are declared fit and discharge from hospital.
Briefing Journalists outside the court premises, counsel to Sheik Zakzaky and Wife, Mr. Marshal Abubakar recalled that the lead counsel to the applicant , Femi Falana was in this court before justice Darius of the Kaduna high court and move the application, which was subsequently adjourned till today.”
He said, “Its not a bail application as is being wrongly reported by the news media. It was an application to save the life of the applicants el-Zakzaky and his wife.”
Asked how soon he can travel out, he said “the ruling came up today and the court justice Darius graciously agreed with Mr Femi Falana SAN and the various medical reports that were attached to the applications. There were eight medical reports that clearly shows the applicants are in dire need of medical treatment abroad. The court agreed that they should be allowed immediate treatment that they sort for and with supervision.”
Also briefing newsmen, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Dari Bayero said the context of the court ruling is that Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife are granted leave to travel out for urgent medical attention.
He said: “the court looked through the medical reports filed and believed Mallam is indeed in dire need of medical attention. This is not a bail, but a leave to travel.”
Asked how long it will take, Dari said “once he is discharged by the hospital. As soon as his discharged from the hospital and he returns to the country , his trial will resume.”
“The court has ruled and we are bound by the ruling,” he added.
Asked if the State will appeal the ruling, Dari said, “we will go and sit down and study the ruling and explore whether there is need for us to do that. We have a month to go through that.”
Daily Independent recalled that the IMN leader has been in detention since 2015, standing trial for alleged culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of public peace among other charges in another court.
