Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday granted bail to 76 protesters arrested during #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, setting bail at N10 million for each defendant, totaling N760 million.
In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu specified stringent conditions, requiring each defendant to provide two sureties – one a Level 15 civil servant and the other a parent.
“The defendants are granted bail in the sum of N10 million each, with two sureties in like sum. One of them must be a Level 15 civil servant and the other a parent to the defendant,” stated Justice Egwuatu.
Additional bail conditions included submission of identification documents, verified addresses, and international passports by the sureties, alongside passport photos and affidavits of means.
The defendants, arraigned on 10 counts by Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun, face charges including treason, conspiracy, and incitement to mutiny for allegedly urging the military to depose President Bola Tinubu. All 76 defendants entered not guilty pleas.
During proceedings, the court was momentarily disrupted as four defendants collapsed on their way to the dock. Observing the incident, Justice Egwuatu temporarily left the courtroom.
Prosecuting counsel Audu Garba informed the court that some defendants were outside due to limited space, leading the judge to order accommodations for all.
The prosecution requested that the court discharge the four unwell defendants – Umar Yunusa, Usman Suraju, Musa Isiyaku, and Abdul Ganiu – to allow them to recover, but refused an acquittal.
Justice Egwuatu ordered that adults be held at Kuje Correctional Centre and minors aged 14 to 17 be sent to Borstal Centre in Gwagwalada until bail terms are met.
Another 43 protesters appeared before the court on similar charges, with 42 in attendance and one defendant granted administrative bail due to illness.
Justice Egwuatu granted bail to these protesters under the same conditions as the initial group.
The court adjourned the case to 24 January for a substantive hearing, as protesters continue to call attention to economic challenges across Nigeria.
