The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to ten #EndBadGovernance protesters who were charged with treason, incitement to mutiny, and other crimes.
The bail was set at ₦10 million each, alongside the provision of one surety in like sum. Justice Nwite, who presided over the case on Wednesday, stated that despite the gravity of the charges, the defendants were entitled to bail.
“The bail is hereby granted to the defendants applicant in the sum of N10m each and one surety in like sum, I have carefully considered the submission of the counsel on both divides. I hereby grant the defendants bail notwithstanding the crime,” Justice Nwite said.
The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, saw the judge stipulate that the protesters must also refrain from participating in any further protests or rallies as part of their bail conditions.
The ten defendants—nine men and one woman—had pleaded not guilty to the six charges brought against them by the Nigerian police. These charges include plans to destabilise the country and overthrow the federal government.
Earlier, Justice Nwite had ordered the remand of the protesters at Kuje and Suleja Correctional Centres after the prosecutor, Simon Lough, opposed their bail applications. However, following legal arguments, the court agreed to grant the bail.
West Africa Weekly