The Academic Forum of the Shi’ite group, the Islamic Movement in Nigeria [IMN] has called on the govt. to release their leader Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat to allow them receive treatment abroad.

Addressing the media in Abuja Wednesday, the IMN said the request for the medical trip abroad is due to the worsening state of health of the couple who have been in detention since December 2015.

The Shi’ite group informed the media that the request for Zakzaky and his wife to be flown abroad is in line with doctors’ recommendation that the needed medical attention can be given at a hospital outside the country where the quality of equipment to deal with their health concerns are available.

Sheikh Zakzaky and his wife have remained in detention despite a Federal High Court ruling in December 2016 by Justice Gabriel Kolawole ordering for their immediate and unconditional release and for the payment of compensation to them for the violation of their fundamental rights.