The absence of Justice Gideon Kurada of the Kaduna state High Court, on Thursday, stalled the trial of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Mr Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife.
The Kaduna State Government arraigned the duo before the Judge on eight counts bordering on alleged culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, disturbance of public peace among other allegations.
The IMN leader and his wife were first arraigned on May 15, 2018, while the court later adjourned the application for their bail to June 21.
At the resumed hearing today, El-zakzaky and his wife were brought to the court by DSS operatives in a black Prado SUV amidst tight security.
However, the matter could not be heard due to the absence of the Judge and the case was later adjourned to July 11, 2018, for the continuation of hearing on the bail application.
The lead Defence Counsel, Femi Falana, described their arraignment by the Kaduna State Government as an exercise in futility, as he insisted that a Federal High Court in Abuja had granted the accused persons bail, which the Nigerian government has failed to obey.
He also described the heavy security presence at the court as uncalled for.
Despite the ruling of a Federal High Court which ordered his unconditional release in 2016, Mr El-Zakzaky and his wife have remained in detention since December 2015.
Their continued detention has sparked several reactions especially his supporters.
Members of the IMN group also known as Shiites have staged series of protests across the northern states demanding the release of their leaders with some being marred by deadly violence.
El-zakzaky Dead?
In January 2018, rumours of his death had spread across social media as his health was said to have deteriorated.
But days after, he made his first public appearance in over two years, during which he assured his supporters that he was alive and well.
Read More: I Am Alive And Well, El-Zakzaky Speaks Out
The IMN leader told journalists in Abuja that for the first time, he was allowed access to his doctors.
“It was severe on me on Monday but subsequently it started subsiding and for the first time at least the security allowed me to see my own Doctors.
“So it was my own doctors who examined me. Before I used to be examined by security doctors, this time I did not agree, and my own doctors came to examine me.
“I am getting better, thanks to all your prayers,” he said.
