Zakzaky pleads not guilty to  charges

Danjuma Abdullahi
Press TV, Abuja

Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky has pleaded not guilty to an eight-count charge of homicide filed against him in a Kaduna High Court.

At this resumed hearing, sheikh Zakzaky pleaded not guilty to charges involving culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, among six others.

The judge also decided not to hand down ruling on an earlier application of preliminary objection by Zakzaky's lawyers asking the court to dismiss all charges against the Islamic cleric.

The presiding judge also approved Zakzaky’s application for the trial to hold without his presence in court because of his poor condition of health, and the inconveniences caused to the public every time the trial holds in Kaduna.

Sheikh Zakzaky, who is in his mid-sixties, lost the sight of his left eye in a 2015 raid by security forces, that left more than 300 of his followers and three of his sons dead. His wife also sustained serious injuries during the raid. He has been kept in custody along with his wife and a large number of his followers ever since.

The Zakzaky case has been adjourned to the 18 and 19 November 2020. Zakzaky's lawyers and the prosecution are both expected to present witnesses to the court. Meanwhile, sheikh Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat have been taken back to prison custody.

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