Court adjourns case challenging Zakzaky’s IMN ban till March 22

Presiding Judge, Justice A. Shuiabu said the adjournment became necessary to enable counsels to the state government and the Directorate of State Security (DSS) prepare their final affidavit. Counsel to IMN, Barrister A. U Ajodo stated that the counsels to the government and DSS submitted their response to the case on Thursday and that he would need time to peruse it before reacting adequately. According to him, “lawyers to the government, governor and the DSS just submitted their affidavit this morning and I need to go through it”. It would be recalled that after the arrest of IMN leader, El-Zakzaky and some members of the group by the federal government for blocking the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff in Zaria. The state government through the governor Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai put a ban on the group’s activities in the state. The governor ordered that its members be arrested if they attempt to hold any form of rally or procession in the state. The IMN is in Court to stop the ban and harassment of its members by security operatives, citing freedom of religion and association, urging that with the ban in place, government will be infringing on their freedom as citizens. Assistant Director Public Prosecution, M.D Joseph, counsel to the state government and counsel to DSS, Barrister L.A Bulus and counsels to the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Army Staff were all advised by Justice Shuaibu to get their acts straight when the case comes up for hearing in March 22, 2018, because he will not entertain excuses.]]>