Court directs Army to present witnesses against El-Zakzaky in next sitting

The High Court 6 Kaduna has directed the Nigerian Army to present their witnesses in its next sitting in a suit filed by the Kaduna State government, against members of Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky’s Shiite movement.

When the case came up on Wednesday, the court received oral and written evidences from witnesses presented by the police.

However, the Nigerian Army failed to show up or send any representation.

In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Nyom directed the Nigerian Army to present their witnesses in its next sitting. He then, adjourned the case to 20th and 21st June, 2017.

However, speaking after the ruling, Counsel for the defendants (Elzakzaky) ,Mr Festus Okoye frown at the way the prosecution is presenting their witnesses in drops.

According to him, ‘if we go by the number of witnesses the prosecution are bringing to court when will the case finished. And they have been in detention for almost two years and some of them are carrying wounds from gunshots etc. He argued that ‘so far the only witnesses were the police.

However, state Counsel, Alh Babayero contended that the accused have been charged for committing offence like culpable homicide. According to him, about 22 were granted bail on medical advice.

He debunked the insinuation that they were presenting their witnesses in drops, saying that, ‘so far we have presented over 40 witnesses since the case started.