By Eyo Nsima

A Kaduna High Court, Wednesday, released the Shiite Movement in Nigeria leader, Mallam Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, and his wife, Zeenat.

Justice Gideon Kurada, upheld the no case submission filed by lawyer to El-Zakzaky, Femi Falana because the prosecutor did not establish a prima facie case against the religious leader.

The trial judge therefore discharged and acquitted them and ordered their immediate release from detention.

The court had on July 1, 2021 fixed July 28 for ruling in the No-case-submission filed by Femi Falana on behalf of the defendants.

Justice Kurada fixed the date after the prosecution and counsel to the defendants addressed the court on the no case submission prayer.

Falana, lead counsel to El-Zakzaky, who spoke to reporters shortly after the adjournment, said: “We addressed the court that there is nothing to defend”, Falana said, adding that “the court took our addresses and fixed July 28 for ruling on the No-Case-Submission.”

Mr Dari Bayero, lead Counsel for the prosecution in the “secret trial” had at the close of their submission, on March 31, said: “We are satisfied with the way the case has gone so far, we have presented 15 witnesses, including Army Generals, who are key actors and players that led to the filing of the case against the IMN leader.

“One of our prayers is that the court should overrule the No-Case-Submission, overrule the defence, convict the defendants accordingly, and pass the necessary sentence as provided for in the law.”