A Kaduna State High Court has set aside August 5, 2019, to rule on the bail application filed by the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and wife, Zeenat.

Counsel to the El-Zakzakys, Mr Femi Falana had filed the application on behalf of his clients on July 18.

They are seeking permission to travel abroad for further medical treatment following the health condition of the Shiites’ leader.

Recall that the IMN leader has been in detention since 2015 despite a court order to release him. Members of IMN, which was banned over the weekend for inciting violence, have died in clashes with police this month while holding protests to demand his release.

At the resumed hearing on Monday, Falana said his clients were not in court due to their bad health condition.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria told the court that the health condition of his clients was getting worse by the day.

He added that only a foreign medical treatment was required to stabilise them to enable them face the main trial.

However, the prosecuting counsel Debris Bayero opposed the bail application.

He informed the court that El-Zakzaky’s medical condition can be treated locally, insisting that there was no need for the court to release him on bail to travel abroad.

After listening to the submissions from both counsels, the presiding judge, Justice Darius Khobo adjourned the ruling on the application to August 5.

El-Zakzaky and his wife are facing an eight-count of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly, disturbance of public peace.

The charges were filed against them by the Kaduna State Government and the duo were first arraigned in May 2018.