On Wednesday, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail of N10 million each to ten members of the #EndBadGovernance protest group. The protesters are charged with attempting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu between July 1 and August 4 of this year.
Justice Emeka Nwite approved the bail while ruling on their bail applications. Each of the ten defendants must provide one surety who is also required to post N10 million. The sureties must be residents of Abuja, own property in the city, and submit the property’s documents to the court.
Additionally, the sureties must swear an affidavit to confirm their financial status. Both the defendants and their sureties are also required to submit their international passports and three recent passport-sized photographs to the court.
Justice Nwite overruled objections from the Inspector General of Police, who opposed granting bail. The judge has also prohibited the defendants from participating in any public rallies or protests during the trial. Until the defendants fulfill their bail conditions, they will remain in prison. The court has scheduled the start of their trial for September 27.
The accused were charged with treason for their actions during a one-week nationwide protest. They are alleged to have engaged in activities considered to be waging war against the state, specifically under sections 96, 410, and 413 of the Penal Code.
According to the Inspector General of Police, the protesters allegedly breached the Abacha Army Barracks and openly called for a military takeover of the government. They are also accused of attempting to forcibly enter government buildings, burning down a police station, and injuring police officers.
Furthermore, they are said to have incited the public against the government and damaged several public properties, including a police station, a High Court complex, and facilities of the National Communication Commission (NCC).
The ten 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. The court’s decision to grant bail, while imposing strict conditions, reflects the seriousness of the charges and the need to ensure the defendants do not disrupt the legal process or public order.
