By Haruna Magashi Esq
The lingering trial of Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky, the Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria and his wife has commenced today (Thuesday) 22nd day of January, 2019 at the High Court of Kaduna State.
The court had earlier in November 2018 denied bail to the Defendants despite their visible ill health. However, at the hearing today, the Counsel for the Defendants Mr Femi Falana SAN, after highlighting the bad health conditions of the Defendants made a fresh application for the court to make an order for them to be flown abroad for medical treatment.
In response, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) who led the counsel for the State objected to the application and informed the court that they had earlier flown the Defendants abroad for treatment. Little drama ensued when the State Counsel was challenged by Sheikh Zakzaky himself that he should furnish the court where he was flown and when. The Sheikh preached to the Counsel to fear Allah and respects himself and refrain from telling a blunt lie to the face of a Court of Law.
Counsel o Sheikh Zakzaky further responded that in alternative to his application, the court shall give order for the Defendants to provide their own doctors from Nigeria or abroad to treat them. The learned Counsel cited authorities where accused persons were given access to medical treatment abroad.
In a swift ruling, Justice Gjdeon Kurada made an order that the Defendants are allowed to bring in their own doctors to treat them, whether from Nigeria or abroad. That the government and security operatives shall not prevent he doctors from having access to the Defendants, and that they shall work hand in hand with govt doctors.
The case was adjourned to 25.
Haruna Magashi Esq
*220119*
_(Haruna Magashi Esq is a lawyer in the Legal Team of Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakzaky