Following his release by the Department of State Security (DSS), Leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky was today spotted at the NnamdiAzikiwe International Airport, Abuja. He is scheduled to depart the Country to India for medical checks.
A source within the IMN in Kaduna revealed that the IMN leader was waiting to be flown to India along with DSS personnel by a privately chartered aircraft. It could be recalled that a Kaduna State High court granted El-Zakzaky and his wife medical leave to undergo treatment at an Indian hospital of their choice. The court ordered that they are released to go to the hospital and return for the continuation of their trial after their discharge from the hospital.
The state government, however, appealed this order in another state high court and gave seven conditions for which the applicants will be allowed to go for treatment. Some of the conditions included that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should confirm the appointments of the defendants/applicants with the Medanta Hospital, India, and undertake all necessary diplomatic arrangements and protocols to ensure compliance with the conditions of the medical leave.
Others are that: “Each of the defendants/applicants shall undertake to return to Nigeria to continue their trial as soon as they are discharged from the hospital, and shall also be responsible for the cost of their travel, treatment and living expenses while on their medical leave. “Each of the defendants/applicants shall produce two prominent and reliable persons as sureties, one being a first-class chief/emir of national repute and the other a prominent person within Kaduna State who shall undertake to produce the defendants whenever they are needed. The sureties must also produce evidence of landed property within Kaduna State.” It is, however, not clear if the IMN leader met the state government’s conditions before his departure or not.
