A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has refused to hear the bail application filed by the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheik Ibraheem Zakzaky.
Ruling on the application on Monday, Justice Okon Abang said since the main suit was already ongoing before another judge of the Federal High Court, the applicant ought to obtain a ‘leave of court’ to hear the matter.
Justice Abang noted that the applicant failed to serve the Department of State Services (DSS), the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris and the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, who were the respondents in the matter.
Mr Zakzaky and his wife, Mrs Zeenah Ibrahim, were arrested after a confrontation between the Islamic group and soldiers which resulted in several deaths and destruction of property on December 12, 2015.
The leader of the Shiites, through his lawyers, Femi Falana and Festus Okoye, is demanding an order of court directing his immediate release from custody.
He also wants the court to award the sum of two billion Naira against the Nigerian Army, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai; the DSS, Mr Idris and Mr Malami.
The case which had been before Justice Gabriel Kolawole, has been adjourned till September 20.
