The Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday slammed N10 million bail each on the ten members of the #endbadgovernance# protesters who were charged with attempting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu between July 1 and August 4 this year.
Justice Emeka Nwite granted the bail in a ruling on Wednesday, stating that each defendant must provide one surety who is a resident of Abuja and owns property within the city.
The property documents must be submitted to the court, along with an affidavit of means. Additionally, both the defendants and the sureties are required to deposit their international passports and three recent passport photos with the court.
Despite objections from the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Justice Nwite rejected the opposition to the bail applications but imposed a condition that the defendants refrain from participating in any public rallies throughout their trial. Until their bail conditions are met, the court ordered their remand in prison custody. The trial is set to commence on September 27.
The protesters are accused of treason during their week-long nationwide demonstrations, where they allegedly waged war against Nigeria. The charges, brought under sections 96, 410, and 413 of the Penal Code, include claims that the defendants attempted to break into Abacha Army Barracks, called for a military takeover of President Tinubu’s government, and tried to force entry into the seat of power. They are also accused of burning a police station, injuring officers, inciting public unrest, and damaging public properties such as a police station, a High Court complex, and National Communication Commission (NCC) facilities.
The accused individuals include 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.