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.

Comments

Pope not involved in Colombian peace deal- Vatican

Pope Francis Pope Francis has turned down a request to play a role in the peace deal between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group. The Vatican in a statement issued on Wednesday in in Vatican City said that an invitation was sent to his Holiness in early August to appoint a representative to participate in the committee that selected the judges for the talks. The statement said that though Pope Francis supported the peace process, he, however, reiterated that he would not get involved in Colombian peace deal. It said that Pope was praying for the enlightenment of the hearts and minds of those who were called to promote the common good of the Colombian nation. A deal was announced last week, putting an end to five decades of internal conflict between government forces and the FARC rebels. The agreement, which needed to be ratified through a referendum in Oct. 2, would entail setting up a special court to grant amnesties or pu...

Houthis Claim Attack on Central Israel in Response to Gaza ‘Massacres’

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has taken a concerning regional turn as the Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for an attack on central Israel. The group announced this as part of their escalating response to what they describe as "massacres" in Gaza amid the Israeli military’s operations in the strip. Details of the Attack The Houthis, a Shiite militant group with ties to Iran, declared that they launched missile and drone strikes targeting Israel. While the exact impact of these attacks remains unclear, reports suggest that Israel’s defense systems intercepted several threats over its airspace. This marks a significant escalation as the Houthis widen their involvement in the conflict beyond their typical operations within Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia. The Houthis’ Justification In their statement, the Houthis framed the attack as retaliation for Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which they characterized as indiscriminate bombings resultin...

Fall of Assad is a Blow to Russia's Prestige

The potential fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, a long-standing ally of Russia, would mark a turning point in Moscow’s global influence, particularly in the Middle East. Steve Rosenberg’s analysis underscores the profound implications for Russia, which has invested heavily—both militarily and politically—in ensuring Assad’s survival over the past decade. This article delves into why Assad’s downfall would strike at the core of Russian prestige and what it could mean for the broader geopolitical landscape. Russia's Strategic Commitment to Syria Since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Russia has been a staunch supporter of Assad's regime. In 2015, Moscow launched a military intervention that proved decisive in stabilizing Assad’s hold on power. This intervention solidified Russia's role as a key power broker in the Middle East and demonstrated its willingness to project military power far beyond its borders. Syria is not just an ally for Russia; it is a...

Global Naija Info

Search This Blog