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El- Zakzaky: Court adjourns hearing till July 13

A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, adjourned hearing till July 13 in a case of enforcement of fundamental rights filed by Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky.

The judge, Justice Gabriel Kolowole, adjourned the case after listening to the submissions of counsel to the parties.

Kolowole ordered the applicant to respond to the counter affidavit filed by the prosecution within five days.

El- Zakzaky, on April 22 instituted a suit against the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force and Attorney General of the Federation for alleged violation of his fundamental rights.

El-Zakzaky is the spiritual leader of an Islamic sect (Shi’ite) in Kaduna.

He has been in detention since December 2015 after a violent clash between members of the Shi’ite sect and the Nigerian army.

Mr Festus Okoye, who held brief for Chief Femi Falana, Counsel for El-Zakzaky, told the court that he had served all processes to all the respondents.

Okoye said that El-Zakzaky had been in the custody of DSS since Dec. 14, 2015, and was yet to be brought before a judge or released.

Mr Tijiani Gazali, Counsel to DSS and Attorney-General told the court that they had filed a motion for extension of time and also a counter affidavit.

Okoye did not oppose Gazali’s application but prayed for an adjournment to respond to some issues raised in the prosecution’s counter affidavit.

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