Court grants bail to 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters arraigned for ‘terrorism’

A federal high court in Abuja has granted bail to 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters standing trial for alleged treason.

The defendants include Michael Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaoluwa Simon and Angel Innocent.

Others are Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nuradeen Khamis and Abdulsalam Zubairu.

They were arraigned before Emeka Nwite, presiding judge, on September 2.

They pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit felony and inciting mutiny — which are punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code.

They were also accused of trying to start a war, intimidating the president by attacking and injuring police officers, and burning police stations.

The defendants were also charged with torching the NCC complex in Kano, Kano Printing Press, Kano government house, and several other buildings.

Although the defendants had applied for bail through their different lawyers, Nwite ordered their remand in prison custody pending a ruling on the application on September 11.

Delivering the ruling on Wednesday, Nwite granted a N10 million bail to the defendants.

They are to produce one surety each in like sum. The sureties must have landed property in Abuja, produce documents of the properties, and submit them to court.

BACKGROUND

Nigerians staged a nationwide protest against economic hardship from August 1–10.

The protesters demanded a reduction in the cost of governance, a return to the petrol subsidy regime, food security, and fiscal discipline, among others.

The demonstration turned violent in some parts of the country, with looting and vandalism recorded in some states.

Following the protests, the police announced the arrest of alleged perpetrators in some states.

The police had also secured an order of court for the remand of 124 persons for 60 days.