Court grants 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters N100m bail
• Why Tinubu must free suspects, by activists
• We’re working to ensure release, says NHRC
A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted a bail sum of N10 million to each of the 10 detainees arrested in connection with last month’s #EndBadGovernance protests.
They include Michael Adaramoye (Lenin), Adeyemi Abayomi (Yomi), Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Simon, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sodiq, Bashir Bello (Murtala), Nurudeen Khamis and Abduldalam Zubair.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted them bail, yesterday, while ruling on the applications filed and argued by lawyers to the 10 protesters, who were charged by the Inspector General of Police (IGP) with treason and advocating military takeover, among others.
Other conditions to be met by the 10 defendants, according to the judge, include that they produce one surety each in like sum, while the sureties must be resident in Abuja.
The judge said each of the sureties must be property owners in Abuja and must deposit documents of the properties with the court in addition to swearing to an affidavit of means.
Nwite added that the defendants and the sureties must deposit their international passports and three recent passport photographs with the court. Restraining the defendants from further participating in any public rally during the pendency of their trial, the judge ordered that the defendants remain in custody till they can meet their bail conditions.
The judge adjourned till September 27 for the commencement of trial. The defendants were arranged on September 2 in a charge marked: FHC/ ABJ/CR/454/2024 for allegedly conspiring to commit treason, inciting violence, attacking public institutions and instigating mutiny against the Nigerian government. They pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them, following which their lawyers, Marshal Abubakar and Deji Adeyanju, applied for their bail.
MEANWHILE, activists in Lagos explained, yesterday, that the Presidency should let the defendants off the hook, since protest is a democratic right and that even President Bola Tinubu was once a protester.
As they submitted a petition to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Lagos office, the coordinator assured that his office was doing everything in its power to secure the release of the detainees.
The activists from different civil society groups in Lagos made the assertion, yesterday, at the NHRC, Lagos State office, where they presented a petition to the Coordinator, Lucas Koyejo, demanding the release and acquittal of the protesters accused of treasonable felony by the Federal Government.
After some solidarity songs, Hassan Soweto of Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM) announced that the gathering was a protest against the detention of those protesting against the neo-liberal policies of the Tinubu government.
He added: “Tinubu’s regime asked for their lives for daring to complain of the hardship his policies brought to the masses. They are on trial today for allegations that carry death penalty as punishment.
“Every democratic government in this country arrested activists; but the Tinubu government has upped the ante into dictatorship. Chairman, Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), Adegboyega Adeniyi, debunked the allegation that the detained protesters were trying to topple Tinubu’s government.
“It is incorrect that the protesters wanted to overthrow Tinubu, with whom we fought against the military regime.
“We appeal to the world through NHRC to prevail on Tinubu to release them. We also appeal to this government’s sense of democracy to change from selfish leadership. Leaders should save humanity,” he said. Chairperson, Active Citizens Group, Adamma Ukpabi, lamented: “This government is asking for our blood. Amid hardship, it is still asking for the lives of some of us.
“Tinubu, you were once a protester; enough is enough! We don’t want your padi padi government.” Funmi Ajayi, who was mistaken for an Igbo lady and attacked at Ojota, Lagos, said: “They want to take away our right to protest. Tinubu taught us to protest; he is our grandfather. We must protest, but nobody is taking away his Emilokan mandate.”
Other activists argued that if the Presidency is interested in bettering Nigeria, it should see protesters as partners in progress. While receiving the petition, Koyejo expressed appreciation for the visit by the activists, adding: “We believe in the citizens’ right to peaceful protest. We are not unaware of the plight of citizens arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests. We have pleaded with the Federal Government to listen to the people. We are doing everything we can to ensure the release of the detainees.” He assured that the petition would be submitted to the authorities.
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