News was told that Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, were yesterday arraigned before the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna.

The Kaduna State Government had brought a fresh 8-count charge against the IMN leader, his wife and two others for, among others, allegedly abating culpable homicide in the killing of one Corporal Dankaduna said to be in the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Tukur Buratai and for unlawful assembly.

IMN leader and his wife were brought from where they were being detained in Abuja to face the case in Kaduna.

Zakzaky had refused being served with the charges some weeks earlier.

When the case was mentioned, the prosecution announced their appearance with the Kaduna State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Bayero Dari.

The presiding judge, Justice Gideon Kurada, asked for those standing trial and was told that they were within the court premises and the judge asked that they be brought in.

Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife were led into the court hall DSS operatives, and they took their seats as the case continued.

He was wearing a neck brace and was supporting himself with a walking stick. 

Barrister Opaluwa and Barrister Maxwell Kyon announced appearance for the defense on behalf of Femi Falana, SAN.

Bayero asked for more time to enable the prosecution serve the two other persons standing trial with the Sheikh.

On their part, the defense lawyers made an oral application for bail and an unfettered access to their clients.

The court asked that the bail application be brought formally, even as it granted the request of the defense for unhindered access to their clients after an adequate notice of at least three days.

The application of the prosecution to allow the Sheikh and his wife to remain in the custody of the DSS was granted.

The case was adjourned to June 21, 2018 and the Sheikh and his wife were put in two separate SUVs and driven to Abuja.

The case lasted for about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, a leader of the Shiites in Kaduna, Malam Abdulhameed Bello, said Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky was forcefully brought to Kaduna a night before the court sitting.

Addressing a press conference in Kaduna yesterday, he said IMN members were disappointed with Zakzaky’s arraignment because an Abuja High Court had ruled that he should be released unconditionally.

“We call on the federal and Kaduna State Governments to as a matter of urgency obey the judgment of the Abuja court and release the Sheikh for peace to reign,” he said.

Source: L.Ikeji