TAIWO FAROTIMI
The trial of Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria , IMN an his wife Zenaat could not proceed at the High Court in Kaduna Thursday as planned. The couple and their lawyer, Femi Falana were in court alright, but the trial judge was, according to Falana, “unavoidably absent “.
Police had cordoned off the road leading to the court and also barred the media from accessing the court for the trial. But the trial, which was started in May, could not proceed and the couple had to be taken back to custody. Falana who was quoted as saying that the absence of Justice Gideon Kurada stalled the trial did not explain the cause of the absence.
El-Zakzaky and his wife are being charged for, among other offences , alleged conspiracy and culpable homicide. The charges were brought against them by the Kaduna State government.
Lawyers on bought sides, in the absence of the judge, picked July 11 as the next date of appearance.