The office of the Inspector General of Police, on Monday, arraigned 10 protesters involved in the recent #EndBadGovernance and hunger demonstrations before a Federal High Court in Abuja. The defendants face a six-count charge, including alleged treason, mutiny, and incitement against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The accused, identified as Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simon, Angel Love Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nurudeen Khamis, and Abdulsalam Zubair, appeared in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/454/2024.
The charges stem from actions allegedly taken between July 1 and 4, 2024, reportedly under the influence of a 70-year-old Briton, Andrew Wynne, who remains at large. According to police prosecutor Mr. Simon Lough, SAN, efforts are underway to declare Wynne a wanted person due to his alleged role in inciting the protesters.
During the court proceedings, all 10 defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their defense team, including lawyers Abubakar Marshall and Deji Adeyanju, requested bail for the defendants. However, the prosecution objected to the oral bail application, citing the necessity of following proper legal procedures.
Justice Peter Lifu, the presiding judge, adjourned the case until September 11, 2024, to rule on the bail application. In the meantime, he ordered the remand of the nine male defendants to Kuje Correctional Center, while the sole female defendant was sent to Suleja Correctional Center.
The first count of the charge accuses the defendants of conspiring to destabilize Nigeria and commit treason, a violation of Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code. The second count alleges that the defendants conspired to incite mutiny during the same period, also in violation of Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
Further charges detail the alleged involvement of the defendants and others in violent actions, including attacking police officers, burning police stations, and damaging government buildings across Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe. These actions, according to the prosecution, constitute an offense under Section 410 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 204.
The case continues to draw significant public attention as the court prepares to hear further arguments in September.
