After about four years in detention, the leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, otherwise known as Shiites, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakyzaky, and his wife, Zeenat, finally left Nigeria, Monday night, for urgent medical treatment in India.
The IMN leader and his wife were accompanied by officials of the Kaduna State Government as well as operatives of the Department of State Services, DSS.
They left aboard an Emirate Airline number EK2614.
El-Zakzaky and his wife had arrived the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, earlier in the day, sequel to an order of a Kaduna State High Court which granted them permission to undergo treatment at any Indian hospital of their choice.
Following their deteriorating health, El-Zakzaky’s lawyer, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, had filed an application praying the court to grant them leave to seek urgent medical attention abroad.
Justice Darius Khobo granted the leave on August 5, but ordered that they must be accompanied on the trip by officials of the Kaduna State Government.
The couple’s trial is expected to resume as soon as they are released from hospital and return to the country.