A magistrate court in Wuse Zone 6 in Abuja, today 26/4/18, dismissed the case against 19 members of the Movement brought before it accused of participating in Free Zakzaky protests for lack of diligent prosecution.
The case involving the Abuja Police Commissioner and Ibrahim Ayuba along with 18 others came up for hearing today. All the accused persons were present in court, but the prosecutor prayed the judge to stand proceedings for 30 minutes to allow for the appearance of his witnesses.
Since there was no objection from the defendants, the court obliged the prosecutor.
Some of the discharged members of IMN with features of torture while they were in detention
On resumption however, neither the prosecutor nor his witnesses could be sighted anywhere in court, and there was no explanation as to their whereabouts.
The defendants therefore implored the provision of section 351 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015) and asked court to dismiss the case in its entirety for lack of diligent prosecution.
The court agreed to the request and consequently dismissed the case.
However the following sisters have been sent to prison: