By John Shiklam
A Kaduna state high court on Monday ordered the Kaduna Correctional Centre to move Zeenat El Zakzaky, wife of the the leader of the Islamic movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El Zakzaky, to a government isolation centre to commence treatment for COVID-19
The court presided over by Justice Gideon Kurada, issued the order at the resumption of trial of the IMN leader and his wife on Monday.
The duo have been in detention since December 2015, following clashes between IMN members and soldiers in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The IMN leader and his wife are being prosecuted by the Kaduna State Government for alleged culpable homicide and unlawful assembly, among others.
Mrs. El Zakzaky’s son, Mohammed, had in a statement last Thursday, said his mother had tested positive for COVID-19 at the Kaduna Correctional Centre where they are being detained.
He also alleged that the prison authorities refused to release his mother for treatment.
However, at the resumed trial on Monday, Femi Falana (SAN), counsel to the accused persons, told the court that Mrs. El Zakzaky has tested positive for COVID-19 and presented a medical report to prove it.
Falana appealed to the court to allow his client seek proper medical treatment outside the Correctional Centre in line with the protocols that have been outlined by the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC).
The prosecuting counsel, who is the Solicitor General of Kaduna State, Mr. Chris Umar, did not object to Falana’s appeal.
In his ruling, Kurada ordered that Mrs. El Zakzaky should be immediately moved to a government-approved isolation and treatment centre.
Four witnesses were presented in court by the prosecuting counsel. More witnesses, including a General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Nigerian Army, serving in the North-east are expected to testify before the court in continuation of trial Tuesday.
As usual, all roads in the vicinity of the High Court complex were blocked, causing gridlock as motorists had to divert to alternative routes.
Journalists were also not allowed into the court premises.
