…As Kaduna court adjourns El-Zazaky’s application for medical attention to July 29***
The Jigawa State Hisbah Command says it has arrested 36 suspects and confiscated 647 bottles of beer in the state, even as beer users wonder if, the State is still collecting VAT from beer, off the national coffers.
The Hisbah Commander, Malam Ibrahim Dahiru who confirmed this to newsmen in Dutse today (Thursday), said the suspects were arrested after operatives of the agency, in collaboration with the police, carried out raids in Dutse, Gumel and Kazaure Local Government areas of the state.
He said that 19 women suspected to be commercial sex workers and 17 men were arrested during the raids carried out between July 11 and July 17.
The commander said that four of the suspects – three male and one female – were arrested in Kazaure, seven in Dutse – three male and four female and 25 in Gumel – 11 male and 14- female.
According to him, 647 bottles of beer and six motorcycles were recovered during the exercise in Gumel.
Dahiru said that some of the suspects had been charged to court, while others had been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.
The commander commended the police for their cooperation and advised residents to stop engaging in immoral acts and other vices that could destroy the society.
Also read: Hisbah arrests 48, confiscates 37 cartons of beer in Jigawa
It is noteworthy that the agency, had on July 9, arrested 48 suspects and confiscated 37 cartons of beer in Taura local government area.
In another development, Justice Darius Khobo of Kaduna State High Court, on Thursday, adjourned hearing in the application for permission to travel to India for medical attention filed by Ibrahim El-Zazaky and his wife, Zinat, to July 29.
The Islamic Movement of Nigeria leader and his wife 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 the hearing, said the adjournment was sequel to an application by the team of Counsel prosecuting the IMN leader.
He said that the team requested for time to examine the medical reports that accompanied IMN leader’s application and authenticate whether it is genuine before putting up their argument before the court.
Justice Khobo granted the request and adjourned till July 29, to give time to the state counsels who were prosecuting the substantive suit against the IMN leader and his wife Zinat.
The IMN leader brought the application before the court seeking permission to travel to Medanta Hospital, New Delhi, India for medical attention following his failing health condition.
El-Zazaky in the application said he and his wife would return to Nigeria as soon as they are discharged.
The IMN leader is standing trial over allegations of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of public peace among other charges in another court.
Justice Gideon Kurada, who was handling the case, on April 25 adjourned the trial of the IMN leader indefinitely.
The indefinite adjournment was to enable the judge serve on the panel of the Presidential and National Assembly Elections Petitions Tribunal in Yobe.
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Before the indefinite adjournment, the court had on January 22, ordered the Kaduna State Government to avail the IMN leader and his wife Zinat, access to medical care.
Femi Falana (SAN), the lead counsel to the IMN leader also told newsmen after Thursday’s adjournment that his clients, El-Zakzaky and wife Zinat, were in dire need of medical attention.
Falana said that his clients had not been given adequate medical care since their detention on Dec. 14, 2015.
He expressed concern over the continued deterioration of his clients’ health.
He, however, said he was optimistic that at the resumed hearing of the application on July 29, the Court would grant them the permission to travel for urgent medical care.
