Court frees nine El-Zakzaky followers on trial for ‘unlawful assembly’ in Kaduna

The Kaduna State High Court has ordered the release of at least
nine members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria also known as
Shi’ites, who were arrested following the proscription order issued
by the Kaduna State Government in 2016.

The nine Shi’ites members, including two women, were arrested in
2016 while on their way to attend the Islamic religious rite of
Ashura mourning in Kaduna and have been in detention since
then.

Justice Shiri Nyom in his judgement discharged and acquitted the
sect members of the charges levelled against them as contained in a
press statement signed by the President Media Forum of the Islamic
Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim Musa and made available to newsmen in
Kaduna on Wednesday.

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According to the statement, Justice Nyoms said the prosecution
didn’t prove any of the charges against any of those standing
trial.

The group noted that the judgement added to the number of cases
in which the government had failed to convict any of its members
for any crime in various courts across the country.

According to IMN, since the persecution of the members of the
Islamic Movement in Nigeria led by Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky
commenced, the High Courts in Kaduna and Sokoto States, as well as
the Court of Appeal have discharged and acquitted 309 members of
the Islamic Movement and dismissed the frivolous charges brought
against them.

“Exactly a week ago, the Kaduna State High Court presided by
Justice Nyoms discharged and acquitted nine members of the Islamic
Movement in Nigeria arrested precisely three years ago while on
their way to attend the Islamic religious rite of Ashura mourning
in Kaduna.

“All the nine, including two women, stood trial in the Kaduna
State High Court since September 2016. They were accused of being
members of the Islamic Movement, unlawful assembly and intent to
disturb the public among others.

“On 2nd July of 2015 the Sokoto Judicial Division – Court of
Appeal – has discharged and acquitted 112 members of the Islamic
Movement of any offence.”

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