JUST IN: Court Grants El-Zakzaky Bail To Travel Abroad

A Kaduna State High Court has granted the Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat medical leave to Mandeta hospital in New Delhi, India.

Ruling on Monday on the bail application by Zakzaky’s counsel, Mr, Femi Falana (SAN), the presiding judge, Justice Darius, however ordered that El Zakzaky should be accompanied on the trip by officials of the Kaduna state government and personnel of the Department of State Security (DSS).

The judge further ordered that the IMN leader and his wife will remain at the approved hospital, Mandeta Hospital, New Delhi, India until they recover completely and after their recovery, they will return to Nigeria and continue with their trial.

Our correspondent reports that major roads in Kaduna were empty as Police anti-riot vehicles were stationed along the Ahmadu Bello Way during the hearing to forestall breakdown of law and order.

The name of the hospital where the IMN is expected to visit is Mandeta Hospital, located in New Delhi, India.

Mr El-Zakzaky has been in detention since 2015 after soldiers raided the IMN headquarters in Zaria and killed at least 347 Shiites.

The government accused the group of not recognising the Nigerian constitution and authority.

Mr El-Zakzaky’s prolonged detention despite several court orders for his release fueled protests by Shiites in Nigeria.

Recent protests by the group have resulted in violence, with a journalist and a police officer killed two weeks ago in Abuja.

It is not clear yet if the government will obey the latest bail and release Mr El-Zakzaky and his wife, who are said to be in very poor health.