The Federal High Court in Abuja has remanded 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters in custody for allegedly plotting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued the remand order following their arraignment on six charges filed by the Nigerian police.
The defendants, who pleaded not guilty to all counts, include Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, and Angel Love Innocent.
They were arrested between August 1 and 10 in Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna during anti-government demonstrations.
Prosecutors allege that the protesters, in collaboration with 70-year-old British citizen Andrew Martin Wynee, “called on the military to take over the government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu” and incited citizens to destabilize Nigeria.
The charges also accuse them of waging “war against the state” by attacking police officers and burning government buildings.
Defense lawyers, including representatives from Falana and Falana’s Chambers, urged the court to grant bail on liberal terms.
Abubakar Marshall argued that the prosecution lacked concrete evidence to prove the charges. Deji Adeyanju, representing three defendants, contended that the alleged “confessional statements” were unrelated to the treasonable felony charges.
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However, prosecutor Simon Lough, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, opposed the bail applications, urging the court to remand the defendants.
After hearing arguments, Justice Nwite ordered nine defendants to be held at Kuje Correctional Centre and the sole female defendant at Suleja Correctional Centre.
The ruling on their bail application is scheduled for September 11.
