A High Court in Nigeria’s northwestern state of Kaduna has freed Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky leader of the proscribed Islamic Movement in Nigeria.

El Zakzaky was freed alongside his wife – Zeenah.

In a ruling that lasted over eight hours amid heavy security presence, the presiding judge, Justice Gideon Kurada upheld the no-case submission filed by Sheikh El-Zakzaky and his wife in an alleged culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of public peace levelled against them by the Kaduna state government.

The judge in his ruling held that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the defendants.

Deborah Amuwoh has the details.