Shiite leader, El-Zakzaky appears court, charged with murder [Photo]

The leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, IMN, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, on Tuesday, appeared before a Kaduna High Court over allegations of murder.

The appearance marks the first time the Shiite leader would be tried in public since his arrest and detention in December 2015.

The State Security Service, SSS, has held the Shiite leader in detention despite a court order ordering his release.

He was arrested following a clampdown on his supporters who blocked the army chief, Tukur Buratai, from using a public road.

Over 340 members of the Shiite group were killed by the soldiers in attacks condemned by local and international rights groups.

One soldier was also killed.

The Kaduna State Government is prosecuting El-Zakzaky for the death of the soldier.

It is for that trial that Mr El-Zakzaky was brought to court on Tuesday.

According to a report by Premium Times, El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenah, were brought to court at about 9:00 a.m.

They were said to have been brought into Kaduna the previous night from where he was kept.

Journalists and other members of the IMN that trooped to the court premises were barred from entering as the major road leading to the court was blocked off by armed security officers.

Counsel to El-Zakzaky, Maxwell Kyom said the cleric is being charged with unlawful gathering, criminal conspiracy and culpable homicide punishable with death.

Kyom said the case could not continue because two of the defendants were not in court.

According to him, an oral application was moved for the bail of the cleric and his wife. But the presiding judge, Gideon Kurada, asked him to put his application officially in writing.

The case was adjourned to June 21 by the presiding judge based on application by the prosecutor for them to properly file their statement of claim.