Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, issued a ruling granting bail to ten #EndBadGovernance protesters who had been detained on charges including treason.
Each defendant was granted bail set at ₦10 million, along with the requirement of one surety in the same amount.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite emphasized the principle of presumption of innocence, asserting that anyone charged with a criminal offense is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
He acknowledged the arguments presented by the defense counsel, particularly Abubakar Marshall, representing the 1st, 2nd, and 4th defendants.
Despite the serious nature of the charges, Justice Nwite decided to grant bail to all ten defendants, stating, “I have carefully considered the submission of the counsel on both divides. I hereby grant the defendants bail notwithstanding the crime.
“The bail is hereby granted to the defendants applicant in the sum of ₦10 million each and one surety in like some.”
Justice Nwite approved their bail applications, stipulating that each defendant must secure a surety who is both a property owner and resident in Abuja.
These sureties are required to provide property documents and an affidavit of means to the court. Additionally, both defendants and sureties must submit their international passports and three recent passport-sized photographs.
Justice Nwite overruled the Inspector General of Police’s objections to the bail requests and imposed a restriction prohibiting the defendants from participating in any public demonstrations during their trial.
Until bail conditions are met, the defendants will remain in custody, while their trial is scheduled to begin on September 27.
The protesters are accused of treasonous activities during their nationwide protests, including attempting to incite a military takeover of President Tinubu’s government, vandalizing public property, and attacking police officers.
The charges against them 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 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.
