barred

Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, granted bail to 10 activists, who are being prosecuted by the Federal Government over the recent #Hunger or #Endbadgovernance protests.

The judge, in a ruling on Wednesday, said he was inclined to granting bail to the defendants, notwithstanding that the Federal Government charged them with capital offences, such as treason and mutiny.

The judge, however, barred the defendants from participating in any protest while their trial lasted in court.

The defendants are Michael Adaramoye, also known as Lenin, Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nurudeen Khamis and Abduldalam Zubair.

They are facing six counts in connection with alleged treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit felony and inciting to mutiny,  punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

The defendants were also accused of making an attempt to force their way into the seat of power during which they reportedly burned down a police station and injured police officers.

They were also accused of inciting the Nigerian public against the government and destroying several public property, including a police station, high court complex and the National Communications Commission facilities.

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

Delivering his ruling on their bail applications on Wednesday, Justice Nwite said he was inclined to admit the defendants to bail because “the defendants/ applicants have shown in their proof of evidence that the defendants’ applicant are just protesters.”

Justice Nwite agreed with the argument of the first, second and fourth defendants’ counsel, Abubakar Marshal, “that anybody charged with a criminal offence must be presumed innocent until proven guilty.”

The judge said, “I have carefully considered the submission of the counsel on both divides. I hereby grant the defendant bail, notwithstanding the crime.

“The bail is hereby granted to the defendants’ applicant in the sum of N10m each and one surety in like sum.”

The sureties, according to the judge, must be Abuja-based property owner, willing to deposit the title document with the court and must also swear to an affidavit of means.

The judge ordered that the defendants and their sureties must deposit their  passports and three recent passport photographs with the court registrar.

However, the judge said they would return to the prison custody until they perfected their respective bail conditions.

Justice Nwite also ordered the defendants to refrain from participating in any public rally or protests throughout their trial and fixed September 27 for the commencement of the trial.

At Wednesday’s sitting, Abubakar appeared for the first, second, and fourth defendant applicants.

Although he appeared for the third defendant at the previous sitting, he informed the court that the third defendant had been excluded from his legal representation.