In a significant legal development, a Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to ten individuals detained in connection with the recent #EndBadGovernance protests. Each defendant has been granted bail set at N10 million.

The individuals released on bail include:
– Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye (Lenin), 28
– Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi (Yomi), 34
– Suleiman Yakubu, 28
– Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simon, 50
– Buhari Lawal, 21
– Mosiu Sadiq, 28
– Bashir Bello (aka Murtala), 51
– Nurudeen Khamis, 47
– Abduldalam Zubair, 37

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the bail decision on Wednesday, addressing applications filed by the defendants’ legal representatives. The protesters face serious charges including treason and advocating for a military takeover, as filed by the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

In addition to the bail amount, the court has set several conditions for the defendants. Each must present a surety who is a property owner residing in Abuja. The sureties are required to deposit property documents with the court and provide affidavits of means. Both defendants and sureties must also submit their international passports and recent passport photographs to the court. Furthermore, the defendants are prohibited from participating in any public rallies while their trial is pending.

Justice Nwite has ordered that the defendants remain in custody until they meet the bail conditions. The court has scheduled the commencement of the trial for September 27.

The defendants were arraigned on September 2 under charge FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024. They face accusations ranging from conspiracy to commit treason, inciting violence, and attacking public institutions, to instigating mutiny against the Nigerian government.

The prosecution alleges that between July 1 and August 10, 2024, the defendants, in collaboration with others now at large, engaged in activities aimed at destabilizing Nigeria. Charges include: conspiring to commit treason, inciting violence, attacking public institutions, and instigating mutiny against the Nigerian government.

The defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their legal team, led by Marshal Abubakar and Deji Adeyanju, applied for bail, which was granted under stringent conditions by the court.