Court reduces bail of five #EndBadGovernance protesters to N5m each

Shehu Sani urges FG to release detained protesters

The Federal High Court in Abuja presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has granted a bail variation for five #EndBadGovernance protesters.

This was as a member of the 8th Senate, Shehu Sani, called on the Federal Government to release the protesters and arraign those caught looting and vandalising public properties during the demonstration.

During proceedings yesterday, the court reduced their bail amount to N5 million each. This move came after the initial bail conditions were deemed stringent.

Five of the 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters, who were previously remanded by the court, had struggled to meet the original bail conditions, to no avail.

Counsel for the 1st, 2nd, and 4th defendants, Marshall Abubakar, revealed that some of the protesters had been unable to secure a surety with landed property in Abuja, which is one of the bail requirements.

Justice Nwite had, in his ruling on September 11, granted bail to all 10 protesters for N100 million. He said, “Bail is, hereby, granted the defendants in the sum of N10 million each with one surety in the same amount. ”

The court required that the sureties, who must be residents of Abuja and own property in the city, deposit their property documents with the court registrar.

Additionally, the sureties were required to swear to an affidavit of means, and both the defendants and sureties were to submit their international passports and recent passport photographs to the registrar.
Nwite ruled that the protesters would remain in custody until they met the bail conditions.

However, the defence lawyers appealed the stringent bail terms, particularly as the five defendants were unable to meet the requirements.

Following their application, the judge reduced the bail sum to N25 million in total for the five protesters requesting the variation.

The new conditions set by the court are for N5 million bail each, with one surety in the same amount. The surety must be a close relative, specifically a father or mother, or another blood relative residing within the jurisdiction if neither parent is available.

Michael Adaramoye (a.k.a. Lenin), Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nurudeen Khamis and Abduldalam Zubair, the defendants, are facing six counts, including treason, conspiracy to commit a felony, inciting mutiny and attempting to destabilise Nigeria, all punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

They are accused of attempting to force their way into the seat of power, burning down a police station and injuring officers.

The Federal Government also claims they incited the public against the government and destroyed public properties, including a police station, the High Court complex, and National Communications Commission facilities.

The 10 defendants, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

SANI, in a statement, yesterday, pointed out, “Now that the first and second waves of the #EndBadGovernance protests have come and gone, I appeal to the Federal Government to consider the withdrawal of treason charges against those alleged to have led or participated in the protests.”

The Federal Government declared a British citizen wanted for treason charges and arrested 10 persons, who were said to have led the protest against bad governance, hardship and poverty in the country.

Sani added: “I wish to also appeal to the Federal Government to forgive and release those who are in detention across the country, but yet to be charged.”

“Those who were involved in acts of looting, arson, violence and sabotage during the protests can be made to answer for their actions.”