A high court in Kaduna has adjourned the trial of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), and Zeenah, his wife, indefinitely.
El-Zakzaky is facing trial over allegations of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, and disruption of public peace, among others.
The Shi’ite leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since December 2015.
On Monday, Gideon Kurada, the judge, adjourned the trial indefinitely following his appointment to serve as the judge in the presidential and national assembly elections petitions tribunal in Yobe state.
Speaking to journalists after the adjournment, Femi Falana, human right activists and lead counsel to the defendants, said aside the absence of the trial judge, the reason his clients could not appear in court was that they were in dire need of medical attention.
Falana added that Zakzaky and his wife had not been given adequate medical attention since the day they were detained.
“So the court has adjourned sine die, meaning indefinitely. My clients are yet to access any form of medical attention even after the court had ordered so,” he said.
“The case had to be adjourned as both my clients need time to attend to their health.”
Zakzaky has remained in DSS custody despite calls for his release.
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