BREAKING: Court grants El-Zakzakky medical bail for treatment in India

The Kaduna State High Court has today 5th August ruled in favour of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, granting him bail on health grounds. The court also ordered the release of Mr. El-Zakzaky’s wife, Zeenatu.

The couple is expected to visit Mandeta Hospital in New Delhi, India for treatment.

The court said the prosecution had failed to prove Shiekh El-Zakzaky would be a flight risk, while the defense team had established that the couple’s health had worsened in custody.

El-Zakzaky has been in detention since 2015 after soldiers raided the IMN headquarters in Zaria and killed at least 347 Shiites. The government accuses the group of not recognizing the Nigerian constitution and authority. It blames Mr. El-Zakzaky for the death of a soldier in December 2015.

The Shiekh’s prolonged detention despite several court orders for his release fueled protests by Shiites in many cities in Nigeria. Recent protests by the group have resulted in violence, with a journalist and a police officer killed two weeks ago in Abuja. These violent protest led the government to proscribe the group under controversial conditions.

It is not clear yet if the government will obey the latest bail and release Mr El-Zakzaky and his wife.