Zeenat El-Zakzaky, wife of embattled leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), Sheikh Ibraheem El-Zakzaky, has tested positive for COVID-19 at a correctional centre in Kaduna.

Recall that El-Zakzaky and his wife have been in detention for over six years despite several court orders granting them bail.

Mohammed Ibraheem Zakzaky, the only surviving son of the detained leader, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Mohammed, in a statement, said his mother showed some symptoms of COVID-19 after which a test was carried out on her which confirmed she was positive for the virus.

“Six days ago after a routine visit to the Kaduna State prison by my parent’s doctors, my mother complained of fatigue, fever and a complete loss of the ability to smell. The doctors decided to carry out a number of standard tests in order to understand what the problem was.

“Among the tests that were carried out was a test for the novel coronavirus also known as Covid-19. This was a routine procedure and it is important to understand that she has been denied treatment for acute medical conditions including severe arthritis of the knee for years now.

“The Covid-19 test came back positive. I imagined that due to the diligent way in which the prison management had been conducting and managing the facility, a Covid-19 outbreak would be extremely unlikely.

“Because we have been doing our own due diligence and taking all possible measures at all times, we imagined that they were safe from the clear and present danger of Covid-19. To the best of my knowledge, the prison authorities have also been doing the same.

“Once I heard of the result, my first act was to ensure that it was tested and confirmed,” he said.

The spokesman of the IMN, Ibrahim Musa, who confirmed the development to newsmen, said Zeenat tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time on January 20, 2021.

Musa called on authorities of the Nigerian Correctional Service to allow El-Zakzaky’s wife seek proper medical treatment in line with COVID-19 protocols.

His appeal comes less than a week after members of the movement renewed their demand for the release of their embattled leader, his wife, and other members of the group still in detention.

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In December 2015, Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zazaky and his wife, Zeenat, were arrested and detained following a conflict between members of the IMN and the Nigerian Army.

They are both facing trial on eight counts of homicide, unlawful assembly, and disruption of public peace, among others.

El-Zazaky, who arrived at the Kaduna High Court on Tuesday, September 29, had asked the court to revoke the case leveled against them for lack of evidence.

The Court's Presiding Judge, Justice Gideon Kurada, however, dismissed the no-case submission and said the court would continue with the trial.

Justice Kurada said El-Zakzaky's application was premature in view of the clear provisions of the Kaduna State administration of criminal justice

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