The campaign for the release of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, including by Nigerian Muslims, amounts to nothing as it has been confirmed that he will stand trial for allegedly inciting the murder of protesters demonstrating outside his palace.

News Express had on August 25 reported that thousands of Nigerian Muslims rallied peacefully in the restive northern Nigerian city of Kano the previous day to demand the return of Islamist Morsi, ousted by the military on July 3.

However, Egyptian state prosecutor referred Morsi for trial late last night, though no date has been set.

“The accusations relate to violence outside the presidential palace in Cairo last December when at least seven people were killed in clashes,” says one report, adding:

“He will be tried in a criminal court for allegedly inciting his supporters to kill at least 10 people, use violence and unlawfully detain and torture protesters. Fourteen other members of his Muslim Brotherhood movement will be tried with him, including top aides.”

Mosri has been detained in an undisclosed location since. Despite other accusations by prosecutors, yesterday’s decision is his first referral to trial.

Since Morsi was deposed, the interim government has waged an intensive security crackdown on members of the Brotherhood. Hundreds of protesters died as security forces stormed pro-Morsi camps in Cairo.

•Photo shows Morsi.