A Federal High Court in Abuja has set ₦10 million each as one of the bail conditions given to 10 protesters arrested during last month’s EndBadGovernance protests. The Presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite, who ruled on the bail application held that Nigeria’s criminal justice system has its stipulations for the prosecutor and the defendant. He also said the sureties must be residents in Abuja, must own properties in Abuja and are to deposit documents of the properties to the court registrar in addition to swearing to affidavit of means.
He added, “in the instant case the defendant applicant has shown in their proof of evidence that the defendants’ applicant is just protesters”.
Justice Nwite agreed with the argument of the 1st, 2nd and 4th defendants’ counsel, Abubakar Marshall “that Anybody charged with a criminal offence must be presumed innocent until proven guilty”.
On this note, he granted the defendant’s bail.
He said, “I have carefully considered the counsel’s submission on both divides. I at this moment grant the defendants bail notwithstanding the crime.
“The bail is hereby granted to the defendant’s applicant in the sum of ₦10m each and one surety in like some”.
The court also ruled that the defendants and the sureties must deposit their international passports and three recent passport photographs with the court registrar.
Until they perfect their respective bail conditions, Justice Nwite ordered that the defendants be returned to prison.
He 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 trial.
The defendants are Michael Adaramoye also known as Lenin, Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nurudeen Khamis and Abduldalam Zubair.
They are facing a six-count bordering on alleged treason, intent to destabilize Nigeria, conspiracy to commit a felony, and inciting to mutiny which is said to be an offence punishable under section 97 of the penal code.
They were also said to have allegedly attempted to force their way into the seat of power during which they allegedly burned down the police station and injured police officers.
The FG also accused them of inciting the Nigerian public against the government and destroying several public properties comprising police station, High Court complex, and National Communication Commission facilities.
The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against them by the Inspector General of Police.
