Kaduna court denies El-Zakzaky, wife bail, rejects plea for foreign treatment

Again, the Kaduna State High Court, presided by Justice Gideon Kurada has denied the bail application by leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky and his wife, Malama Zeenatudeen.

The court also rejected the plea by his counsel that he is allowed to travel abroad for medical treatment, following his worsening health condition.

Leading counsel to El-Zakzaky, Femi Falana (SAN), drew the court’s attention to the deteriorating health of the Islamic leader of the IMN, also called Shiites.

When the case came up for mention yesterday, the prosecution lawyers, led by Bayero Dari prayed the court to continue with the case.

However, Falana made no objection to the demand, but prayed the court to amend the charges to read Kaduna State Government vs. Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife, to which the presiding judge agreed.

Falana further demanded that the court gives a mandatory order that his clients be flown abroad to receive proper medical attention, since the government has glaringly failed to cure them of the injuries they sustained during the army’s onslaught on their residence in December, 2015.

He argued that Sheikh El-Zakzaky had last year January suffered stroke in detention, adding that since the attack by the soldiers three years ago, he has not been allowed to optimally access healthcare.

“He had lost the left eye as a result of the military bullets unleashed on him during the attack, and stands a risk of losing his sight completely, except urgent medical attention is provided.

“He has also been seen lately to be spotting a neck collar because of the inability to hold his head without the device, which is a direct consequence of the stroke he suffered while in the custody of the Department of State Security (DSS),” Falana said.

He further argued that the health situation of his wife is similarly dire, as she is known to be experiencing excruciating pains due to the presence of shrapnel lodged in her body, following the horrendous attacks by the Nigerian military. At the moment, she is barely able to move with support of a walking stick.

Justice Gideon Kurada said the court couldn’t accede to the request of the plaintiff’s lawyer.

He however issued a mandatory order that government should allow Sheikh El-Zakzaky to bring doctors of his choice to examine him in the presence of doctors from the government side, before the date of the next sitting.

El-Zakzaky and his wife are standing trial for alleged aiding and abetting of sundry offences, including culpable homicide, which is punishable by death.