Alleged culpable homicide: Shiite Leader El-Zazaky pleads not-guilty in Kaduna


Kaduna------------------------ Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, otherwise known as Shiite, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, on Tuesday, pleaded not guilty to the eight counts charge bordering on alleged culpable homicide filed against him in a Kaduna High Court.

The presiding judge, Justice Gideon Kurada took El- Zakzaky's plea at the resumed hearing of the motion in a no-case-submission filed by El-Zakzaky on August 7, 2020.

Justice Kurada had, fixed September 29, for ruling on the motion, after counsel to the defendant, Abubakar Marshall, holding the brief for Femi Falana, SAN, asked the court to quash the charges preferred against El-Zakzaky by the government "for not disclosing an offence known to law contrary to sections 36 (8) and (12) of the 1999 constitution as amended.”

However, at the resumed sitting, Kurada again reserved ruling on the motion until hearing in the substantive suit.

Also, the Judge, after taking the plea of the defendant adjourned until November 18 and November 19 to enable the prosecution present it’s witnesses.

El-Zakzaky filed the motion seeking the court to quash the state government’s case against him for lack of evidence.

The defendant and his wife, Zinat are standing trial on allegations of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of public peace, among other charges.

However, the prosecution Counsel, Mr Dari Bayero, told reporters shortly after the hearing, that the state has assembled more than 20 witnesses including the personnel of both the Army and Police to give evidence against the defendant before the court.

The Shiite leader and his wife Zinat are standing trial on allegations of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of public peace, among other charges.

Also, Abubakar Marshall, who held brief for Falana, told reporters shortly after the adjournment that his motion on no-case submission had been reserved until the end of hearing in the main suit.

He said that his client had taken a not-guilty-plea and ”we are waiting for the prosecution to present it’s witnesses.”