A Kaduna High Court on Thursday fixed November 7 for ruling on the bail application filed by the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zinat.
Justice Gideon Kurada adjourned the matter after the prosecution counsel, Dari Bayero, complained of lack of adequate security in Kaduna town.
The prosecution explained that the security agencies had drafted personnel to strategic areas of the state to provide security for the visit of the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo, to Kaduna State.
Kurada therefore adjourned the case to November 7, to rule on the bail application.
Both the defence and prosecution counsel later told journalists that the heads of security agencies in the state had complained of their inability to draft adequate personnel to provide security at the court B
Bayero told reporters that the 3rd and 4th defendants, Yakubu Yahaya and Sanusi Abdulqadir, standing trial with the Shiites leader, were yet to be arrested.
It would be recalled that the 3rd and 4th defendants were served court summons through substituted services in publications in the Daily Trust and The Nation newspapers.
Recall that the Kaduna State Government had brought an eight-count charge against the IMN leader, his wife and the two other IMN leaders based in Katsina and Kano.
The IMN leader, his wife, Yahaya and Abdulqadir were charged with alleged conspiracy and abating culpable homicide, among other related offences.
Meanwhile hundreds of Shiites on Thursday locked down the Federal Ministry of Justice as they rallied again to demand the release of their leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, currently in the custody of the federal government.
The protest started from the federal secretariat and ended at the ministry.
According to the group’s spokesperson, Abdullahi Muhammad, the action was taken since “our leader would not be released to us”.
Muhammad said “today at a Kaduna High court, the ruling on the bail application of our leader was again adjourned to November 7.
“This is inhumane, the government keeps telling us they are protecting Zakzaky and keep coming up with excuses. We his followers are tired, and we want the minister of justice, Abubakar Malami, to do the needful by releasing our leader.”
Muhammad said the prosecution counsel, Dari Bayero, complained of lack of adequate security in Kaduna town and this made the judge, Gideon Kurada to adjourn the matter.
“The prosecution explained that the security agencies had drafted personnel to strategic areas of the state to provide security for the visit of the Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo, to Kaduna State.”
Tag: Bail Application
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Court adjourns ruling on El-Zakzaky’s bail application, as protesters lock down Justice Ministry in Abuja
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Court adjourns hearing on Melaye’s bail application
The trial judge in the bail application of the Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, has reserved judgement till 16th May, 2018.
Justice Nasir Ajana adjourned after listening to arguments from both the prosecuting counsel, Dr. Alex Iziyon (SAN) and the defense counsel, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN).
Earlier, the prosecuting counsel had told the trial judge not to grant the bail application, as the defendant had been certified fit to stand trial.
He filed a counter affidavit to the effect that Melaye had made an attempt to escape by jumping out of the Police van taking him to Lokoja.
Ozekhome, in his response, said that the senator managed to run away from the scene after being tear-gassed; adding that someone who wanted to escape justice would either run to his village or any other place where he will not be easily reached; but in Melaye’s case, he ended up in National Hospital, Abuja.
Iziyon also argued that he did not believe for one minute that the senator was being treated in any hospital, saying that Melaye only feigned an ailment after he attempted to escape when being taken to Lokoja.
He argued that the defense counsel had not been able to prove that the alleged ailment was beyond the responsibility of the prison.
He said that there were medical facilities that could adequately take care of the defendant since it has not been proved that the so-called ailment requires specialist attention that cannot be provided by the prison authorities.
The defence counsel, Mike Ozekhome (SAN), submitted that the prosecuting counsel got it all wrong, arguing that the Constitution allows a high court judge to administer an applicant to bail.
However, the judge held that both parties should agree on where Melaye will be held.
Ozekhome noted that they were in the court on the issue of bail, arguing that there were medical reports from the National Hospital, Abuja, confirming his client’s asthmatic conditions, and injuries in the spines and on the legs.
“His being transferred to intensive care unit of the National hospital from Police clinic was also a pointer to the fact that they recognised the dangerous condition he was in, as he was not taken to a hotels or a VIP lodge to relax, but to the National Hospital, Abuja,” Melaye’s counsel said.
“They have not also denied the fact that he suffered an attack right there before the senior magistrate and had to be given his inhaler to stabilise his condition.
“They have not put forward any documentary evidence to oppose the ones tendered before the court as regards his dangerous health conditions,” Ozekhome submitted.