A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to 10 protesters involved in the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations. Each was granted bail in the sum of N10 million.
The protesters, arrested during demonstrations against the government’s alleged failures from August 1 to 10 across Nigeria, appeared in court on Wednesday, September 11, facing charges that include treason. They had initially been arraigned on September 2.
The Nigerian government arraigned 10 protest leaders and participants, accusing them of treason, inciting mutiny, and attempting to destabilize the country. Among those arraigned were Michael Adaramoye (a.k.a Lenin), Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, and others. The government also named British citizen Andrew Wynne, known as Andrew Povich in the case.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, filed the charges, which include inciting mutiny and waging war against the Nigerian state by attacking police officers and burning police stations across Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe between July 1 and August 4, 2024.
However, Judge Emeka Nwite, presiding over the case, granted the defendants bail. He emphasized the principle of presumed innocence. “Anybody charged with a criminal offense must be presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Nwite stated.
—Ezinwanne Onwuka reports for TruthNigeria from Abuja.
