Shiite leader El-Zakzaky and wife suffering from metal poisoning — Court documents

Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria and his wife Zeenat, are reportedly battling heavy metal poisoning as revealed in the court document filed on their behalf at the Kaduna State High Court. 

The metal poisoning is caused by the gunshot pellets in their body system, and the couple are seeking the court’s permission to travel to India for medical attention. The court document filed by Mr Femi Falana (SAN) revealed that the El-Zakzaky “suffered from severe recurrent stroke and shock”, while his wife “suffered from heavy metal poisoning” as a result of the “gunshot pellets lodged in the iliac region of her abdomen”

They were allegedly shot by soldiers in the convoy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Tukur Buratai, in Zaria, Kaduna State in December 2015, and the couple’s physician, Dr Ramatu Abubakar and her medical team have been attending to their medical needs at the Kaduna State Environmental Protection Agency health facility which is grossly inadequate to treat their health challenges.

“That the applicants herein have heavy metal poisoning in their body system as a result of the inability of the complainant/respondent (prosecution)and their agents to remove the toxicity ensuing from the life-threatening gunshot wounds they sustained during the December 25, 2015 raid on their home.

“That heavy metal poisoning is a severe condition that can damage the whole organ and sudden death may occur if emergency treatment is not obtained" the court affidavit obtained by Punch read in parts. 

El-Zakzaky reportedly relapsed into a partial stroke on July 14, 2019, and it was gathered that his doctor was hurriedly called in. Though the Director, Public Prosecutions, Kaduna State Ministry of Justice, Diri Bayero, opposed the hearing before Justice Darius Khobo, the case has already been fixed on July 29 for ruling.