Breaking: El-Zakzaky, wife in court amid heavy security
- The Shiite Muslim leader, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife Zeenat, are currently appearing at the Kaduna state high court
- Police had earlier warned Shiite members ahead of arraignment of El-Zakzaky
- The police spokesman in the state, Mukhtar Aliyu, said that any person or group of persons who deliberately attempt to violate the ban on unlawful assembly would be dealt with
The leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat, on Wednesday, July 11, arrived at the Kaduna state high court for arraignment amid tight security.
Channels TV reports that ahead of their arraignment, men of the Kaduna state police command blocked all the roads leading to the court, diverting vehicles to alternative routes.
Legit.ng gathered that the police said that the move was to avert any breakdown of law and order by the Shiite group whose members have been carrying out series of protests in Kaduna and Abuja, to demand their leader’s release.
Ibrahim El-Zakzaky addressed reporters in Abuja in January 2018.
READ ALSO: Crisis hit new PDP coalition as 20 political organisations pull out
It was gathered that residents going to their places of work as well as students whose schools are located near the court have to trek to their various destinations due to the diversion of traffic in the area.
El-Zakzaky is being arraigned with his wife, Zeenat, by the Kaduna state government before the state high court.
The duo are charged with eight counts bordering on culpable h*micide, unlawful assembly, and disturbance of public peace, among other allegations.
They were first arraigned on May 15, while the court later adjourned the application for their bail till June 21.
But the matter could not be heard on June 21 due to the absence of the judge and the case was later adjourned till today, Wednesday, July 11, for the continuation of hearing on their bail application.
Meanwhile, police have cautioned members of the Shiite group against embarking on any form of unauthorised procession or protest.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 10, they warned that the command would not hesitate to deal decisively with any person or group of persons who deliberately attempt to violate the ban on unlawful assembly in the state.
The police also advised residents in the state capital to go about their businesses without fear.
They assured the people that adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free arraignment of the Shiite leader.
"As part of the security measures put in place for a smooth process of the court trial, there will be traffic diversion in some parts of the state, especially the roads leading to the court.
“Members of the public should note that the ban on all forms of processions and demonstrations in Kaduna state is still in force. Therefore, the public is advised to remain calm and not to be apprehensive where they observe unusual number of security personnel in town.
“The command wishes to notify the general public to exercise more security consciousness as they go about their daily chores and other lawful businesses by being extra vigilant of their environment, persons around them, activities of suspicious persons etc so as to prevent miscreants disturbing the peace of the state,” the statement read in part.
However, the spokesperson for the Islamic Movement, Ibrahim Musa, said there is no plan by the Shiite members to cause public disorder during the arraignment of their leader by the Kaduna state government.
They claimed that their previous protests have been peaceful, adding that they have been victims of attacks.
Musa said: “We will, therefore, like to assure the public that our history speaks for us, we are always the victims of forceful aggression. We have never killed, ma.imed nor destroyed anybody’s property, and we will not start it now. All that we are saying and will keep on saying is free our leader.”
PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 new app
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that the Senate would debate the continuous detention of a former National Security Adviser (NSA) Sambo Dasuki, and the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky.
BUSTED: Police Arrest One-Chance Tricycle Thieves, Human Traffickers | - on Legit.ng TV
Source: Legit.ng
