The government of Nigeria has charged the leader of Nigeria’s Shiite group, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, with murder.
There have been growing street protests by his supporters in Abuja and other parts of the country, demanding his release from prolonged detention.
Mr El-Zakzaky and his wife have been held by the Nigerian government since December 2015 despite court rulings authorising his release.
The government claims he is held in a “protective custody”, but his supporters have in the last two weeks intensified protests demanding his freedom.
The Kaduna state government has also slammed a fresh eight-count charge on the Shiite leader, his lawyer, Femi Falana, said Thursday.
The charges include homicide which is punishable by death.
According to PREMIUM TIMES, the charges were filed on April 18.
According to the charge, the alleged offences took place during the December 2015 clash between the IMN and a convoy of Nigeria’s army chief, Tukur Buratai.
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