The adjournment came as supporters of Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky marked his 66th birthday with a procession in the city of Kaduna

Although Nigeria’s High Court ordered the release of the pair on 2 December 2016 after a period of detention of almost a year the order has yet to be implemented

Police used tear gas, water cannon and dogs to disperse the peaceful demonstration in the capital Abuja

The move follows the expiry of the deadline for the release of the couple set by a federal high court judge on 2 December 2016