Court adjourns El-Zakzaky's secret trial until March 31

A Kaduna State High Court, on Monday, adjourned the 'secret trial' of the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, until March 31.

Justice Gideon Kurada adjourned the matter after over six hours sitting, to allow the prosecution to close its case.

The lead prosecution counsel, Chris Umar, who is also the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Kaduna State Ministry of Justice, confirmed this to reporters shortly after the trial that lasted from 11 am to 5:15 pm.

Umar said that the prosecution had so far presented 14 witnesses before the court.

He said that the court had admitted several items in evidence, but declined to mention the items.

Also, Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), told reporters that items including video recordings, dane guns, SIM cards, among others were admitted in evidence by the court.

Falana said his team will open defence in the case after the prosecution closed its case on the adjourned date.

The 'secret trial' of the IMN leader and his wife Zeenat began on November 18, 2020 at the High Court.

The Kaduna State Government charged El-Zakzaky and Zeenat with eight counts bordering on alleged culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, and disruption of public peace, among other charges.

On September 29, the IMN leader and his wife pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them.

The state had so far presented 14 witnesses including two Army officers, a retired director of state security service, police officers and a medical doctor who testified in secret before Justice Kurada.