El-Zakzaky moved to Abuja from Kaduna in preparation for his medical trip to India

ISLAMIC Movement of Nigeria (IMN) leader Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat have been flown to Abuja in readiness of their impending journey to India where they will receive medical treatment for injuries caused by their arrest and incarceration.

Since December 2015, Sheikh El-Zakzaky, the leader of the Shiite IMN sect,  has been in detention after being arrested following a clash between his supporters and the Nigerian Army. While in detention, however, his health has deteriorated, with the sheikh said to have lost one eye and he is also reported to have suffered several mild strokes, leading to calls for his release.

Last week, a Kaduna high court ruled that Sheikh El-Zakzaky should be granted health bail to go to India for medical attention. In his judgement, Justice Darius Khobo ruled that Sheikh El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, should be granted leave to travel abroad accompanied by officials of the Kaduna State government.

After studying the judgement for a week, it appears that the federal government has finally decided to comply with the court order, so has moved Sheikh El-Zakzaky fro Kaduna where he is being held to Abuja. Apparently, their passports and other travel documents are now ready for the trip, which will involve them being accompanied by family members.

Despite the Kaduna State government issuing a set of impossible conditions before Sheikh El-Zakzaky can be released, the federal government has decided to act on the court order in a bid to douse the growing political tension. Femi Falana, Sheikh El-Zakzaky's lawyer had called on the federal government to ignore the intervention of the Kaduna State government because it was the height of provocative contempt.