The start of the hearing into the motion to dismiss the charges against Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and his wife Mallimah Zeenah saw the prosecution bring two witnesses to the stand.

Both Brigadier General SK Usman a spokesperson for the army during the Zaria massacres in 2015, and Colonel Babayo gave statements that contradicted their previous and other official statements regarding the events.

The hearing was adjourned halfway through the day and is slated to continue tomorrow at Kaduna High Court.

Massoud Shadjareh, chair of IHRC stated:

“Today’s events in court vis a vis prosecution witnesses, highlights why it has taken five years since the alleged crimes for the prosecution to bring their so-called evidence forward, and why up to now every court case brought has been thrown out.

“These are simply delay tactics to keep Sheikh Zakzaky and Mallimah Zeenah incarcerated.  This is politically motivated and nothing else.”

For more information please call the press office on +447958522196 or email media[AT]ihrc.org.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. A full media kit on the Islamic Movement and this case can be found here.
2. Find IHRC’s submissions to the International Criminal Court regarding the Zaria massacres here (2020) and here (2016).[ENDS]