Kaduna State Government says it cannot free leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zinat, from the Nigerian Correctional Centre in the state, adding that their freedom is in the hands of the court.
The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Aisha Dikko, said this in a statement on Thursday amid calls for El-Zakzaky’s release.
Dikko said that the government has no intention of withdrawing the eight-count charge against El-Zakzaky.
“Rulings and orders that were secured against the Federal Government do not have any bearing against the Kaduna State Government which was not a party to those proceedings and against whom no orders were made,” she said.
“Any issues regarding compliance or non-compliance with a court order by the DSS or the Federal Government cannot be used to vitiate the judicial proceedings the Kaduna State Government has commenced against the El-Zakzakys.
“At its last sitting on 5th December 2019, the court adjourned hearing in the matter to 6th February 2020, and ordered the transfer of the couple from DSS facilities to the Kaduna Correctional Centre for the duration of trial.”
She added: “It is the High Court that will decide the case, and the rule of law demands respect for the prerogatives of the court and the ongoing legal process.”
The state government filed charges against some persons on April 19, 2018, including El-Zakzaky and his wife.
The other persons include Yakubu Katsina and Sanusi Koki for alleged criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide and unlawful assembly.
Other charges included alleged wrongful restraint, disturbance of public peace and voluntarily causing grievous hurt as well as inciting disturbance, and breach of public peace.
