Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to ten #EndBadGovernance protesters who were detained on charges of treason, while President Bola Tinubu government had called for them to face death penalty by hanging.
The bail for each defendant was set at ₦10 million, along with the requirement of one surety in the same amount.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite highlighted the legal principle of the presumption of innocence, emphasizing that all individuals charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. He took into account the defense presented by Abubakar Marshall, counsel for some of the defendants, before reaching his decision.
Despite the gravity of the charges, Justice Nwite chose to grant bail, stating, “I have carefully considered the submissions of counsel on both sides. I hereby grant the defendants bail notwithstanding the crime.”
Under the bail terms, each defendant must secure a surety who owns property and resides in Abuja. The sureties are required to submit property documents and an affidavit of means, while both the defendants and sureties must provide their international passports and three recent passport-sized photographs.
Justice Nwite dismissed the objections raised by the Inspector General of Police against the bail applications and imposed a restriction preventing the defendants from participating in any public demonstrations during their trial period. Until the bail conditions are fulfilled, the defendants will remain in custody. The trial is scheduled to commence on September 27.
The protesters face charges of treasonous activities, including allegedly attempting to incite a military coup against President Tinubu’s government, vandalizing public property, and assaulting police officers. The charges fall under sections 96, 410, and 413 of the Penal Code. The Inspector General of Police alleges that the group broke into the Abacha Army Barracks, called for military intervention, and committed acts of violence, including the destruction of a police station and other public facilities.
The accused individuals are Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Eleojo Simon, Angel Love Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello Nurudeen Khamis, and Abduldalam Zubair.
NN News Media had reported that the federal government had charged ten arrested #EndBadGovernance protesters to court for treasonable felony, a capital offence to die by hanging.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, urging the Nigerian government to uphold civil liberties and adhere to the rule of law.
