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A federal high court in Abuja has granted bail of ₦10 million each to 72 defendants charged with participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
Presiding Judge Obiora Egwuatu stipulated that each defendant must secure two sureties in the same amount. One of the sureties must be a civil servant at grade level 15 or higher, with a verifiable address within the court’s jurisdiction, while the other must be a parent of the defendant.
The protesters, mostly minors, were arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
They are facing a 10-count charge bordering on alleged treason, as well as conspiracy to commit felony with intent to destabilize Nigeria, an offence contrary to Section 96, and punishable under Section 97, of the Penal Code Act.
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The defendants looked malnourished, and four of them were hurriedly rushed out of the courtroom as they couldn’t stand on their feet.
Looking very sickly, they wriggled in pain on the floor of the court.
They were arrested and detained during the August 1 to 10, 2024, nationwide protest in the country which was sparked by widespread economic hardship that led many Nigerians to take to the streets to express their grievances.
The 76 protesters were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina and Kano.
They have been accused of treason, among other offences.
As at the time of filing this report, the court has just resumed sitting, and charges are being read individually to the protesters.
The 76 individuals, arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states, face charges of treason, among other offenses.
In other news, following his arraignment for impersonation on Friday, social media critic, Martins Otse aka VeryDarkMan has been granted bail in the sum of ₦2 million with two sureties in like sum.
The court also ordered VeryDarkMan to deposit his international passports and any other means of identification.
The Police had arraigned VDM as he’s popularly called for impersonation.
