A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has reduced the bail conditions for five of the ten #EndBadGovernance protesters, lowering the required amount from N10 million to N5 million each. This decision was made during a hearing on Monday, following a request from the defence for a reconsideration of the bail conditions initially set.
The defendants were among a group of ten protesters charged with serious offences, including treason, conspiracy to commit a felony, inciting mutiny, and attempting to destabilize the nation. According to the prosecution, the protesters allegedly attempted to force their way into the seat of government, committed arson by burning down a police station, and injured law enforcement officers. Additional accusations from the Federal Government include the destruction of public properties such as a police station, the High Court complex, and facilities of the National Communications Commission.
On September 11, 2024, the court had initially set the bail at N10 million each, along with stringent conditions. Justice Nwite had ruled, “The bail is hereby granted to the defendants in the sum of N10 million each with one surety in the same amount.” The conditions required that the surety must be a resident of Abuja, own property within the city, and deposit the relevant property documents with the court. Both the defendants and sureties were also required to surrender their international passports and recent passport photographs.
However, five of the protesters were unable to meet these conditions, particularly in securing a surety with landed property in Abuja. In light of these challenges, defence counsel Marshall Abubakar, representing some of the defendants, filed an application for bail variation. The court subsequently granted a reduction, setting the new bail at N5 million for each of the five protesters, with the additional condition that the surety must be a close relative — either a parent or another blood relative residing within the court’s jurisdiction.
