The Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail on Wednesday to 10 protesters charged with treason related to last month’s #EndBadGovernance protests.
Justice Emeka Nwite set bail at N10 million for each defendant, requiring one surety with property in Abuja worth the bail amount. The sureties must submit their passports to the court.
The defendants, arraigned on September 2, include Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye (aka Lenin), 28; Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi (aka Yomi), 34; Suleiman Yakubu, 28; Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, 50; Angel Love Innocent, 51; Buhari Lawal, 21; Mosiu Sadiq, 28; Bashir Bello (aka Murtala), 51; Nuradeen Khamis, 47; and Abdulsalam Zubairu, 37.
Their lawyers argued that the evidence did not support the treason allegations.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to six charges, including war plotting and attempting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Nigerian Army hails Tompolo, Tantita for transformative project
The charges allege that the defendants incited mutiny, destabilized Nigeria, and waged war against the state. They were also accused of attacking police officers, burning police stations, and destroying other properties.
Counsel for the 1st-4th defendants, Abubakar Marshal, urged the Federal Government to reconsider the charges, informing the court that 49 additional protesters remain detained at Kuje Correctional Centre under court order.
However, Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned the case to September 27 for trial commencement.