A High Court sitting in Kaduna has fixed July 28 to rule on the case of the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakazaky and his wife Zeenat.

Justice Gideon Kurada fixed the date on Thursday after counsel for El-Zakzaky, Femi Falana (SAN), addressed the court on the no-case submission prayer submitted earlier.

Mr Falana prayed the court to rule in favour of his clients.

“The prosecution and the defence addressed the court on the no-case-submission prayer,” Falana said while speaking to journalists after the hearing.

“We did indicate last time that even though the prosecution called 15 witnesses, we felt that no case has been established to warrant our clients being in court.

“In other words, we addressed the court that there is nothing to defend.

“The court took our addresses and fixed July 28 for ruling on the No-Case-Submission,” Falana said.

The prosecution, Mr Dari Bayero, closed his submission on March 31, praying the court to sentence El-Zakzaky and his wife.

“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,” Bayero said.

El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat are standing trial on eight counts bordering on alleged culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disruption of the public peace, among others.