Zakzaky trial cripples Kaduna
Business activities in Kaduna state were crippled on Wednesday morning following the trial of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky for fear of breakdown of law and order. The case which came up at a Chief Magistrate court was however adjourned to 2nd August, 2018 to allow the 2nd […]
Business activities in Kaduna state were crippled on Wednesday morning following the trial of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky for fear of breakdown of law and order.
The case which came up at a Chief Magistrate court was however adjourned to 2nd August, 2018 to allow the 2nd and 3rd defendants be served hearing notices.
Our correpondent observed that businesses in the city centre and near the central market were mostly affected including shops, banks, markets and other business surrounding the court where the trail was taking place.
There was heavy presence of security personnel placed at strategic locations to forestall breakdown of law and order like what happened when the case came up earlier which lead to the death of a police inspector.
Most of the major entry and exit roads to Kaduna metropolis were cordoned off and taken over by security agents to nip in the bud any planned demonstration by members of the movement demanding the release of El-Zakzaky from detention.
Civil servants and market traders that were able to find their way to town to attempt carrying out their daily activities were seen clustered in groups discussing the situation that has befallen Kaduna.
Journalist who managed to get to the court were also barred for gaining access into the court premises, but were only allowed to hang around outside pending the conclusion if the sitting today.
However, speaking with journalists after the court, one of the defence counsel to Zakzaky, Barrister Maxwell Kyon said the case has been adjourned to August 2 for further mention.
He added, "The other two defendants that are listed on the charge are still yet to be served and so the prosecution simply asked for another date to intensify efforts to serve them.
"We had also filed a bail application that we had hoped will be looked into today (yesterday), but unfortunately it was sometime yesterday very late that we were served with the response to that bail application. So we also asked for a short date to enable us respond to the counter affidavit that was served by the state."
He however refused to mention the name of the other accused persons who are the 3rd and 4th defendants, "saying they are not necessarily part of the matter until they are served".
He added, "In a criminal matter you cannot proceed until all the accused are served. That is part of the reason we have not been able to make much progress, all the while and since the matter was instituted the third and fourth defendants have not been served."
He said, "The bail application could not be taken in court because not withstanding that we filled a bail application over a month ago, the state only respond yesterday evening, so we asked for a a short time to respond."
It could be recalled that Zakzaky is being arraigned for murder over fresh charges levied against him by the Kaduna state government after an Abuja High court had passed a judgement that Zakzaky and his wife Zeenatu be released and provided accommodation.