The Department of State Services has confirmed receipt of a court order granting the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, to travel to India for medical attention.
Justice Darius Khobo of Kaduna State High Court, on Monday, granted el-Zakzaky, leave to seek medical attention in New Delhi, India.
The service said it was currently liaising with relevant stakeholders to allow him travel to seek medical attention in India.
This was contained in a short statement signed by the spokesman of the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunnaya, in Abuja, on Monday.
He said, “The Department of State Services has received the order granting Ibrahim eL-Zakzaky leave to travel to India for medical treatment.
“Consequently, the Service is liaising with relevant stakeholders to ensure compliance.
“Conformity with the order is in line with the Service’s avowed commitment to the Rule of Law inherent in a democracy.”
While granting the IMN leader the leave, Khobo said he would travel in company of state officials and ordered that he must return immediately after his discharge from the hospital to face his charges.
El-Zakzaky and his wife had applied to the court seeking to travel, following poor health while in detention.
The State Director of Public Prosecution, Mr Dari Bayero, who briefed newsmen shortly after Monday’s ruling said the court had taken time and examined the eight medical reports by Nigerian and foreign doctors that accompanied the IMN leader’s application.
“The context of the court ruling is that Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife are granted leave to travel out for urgent medical attention.
“The court looked through the medical reports filed and believed Mallam is indeed in dire need of medical attention.
“This is not a bail, but a leave to travel. So as soon as his discharge from the hospital and he returns to the country, his trial will resume,” he said.
