Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted bail to ten individuals involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests, who had been detained on charges including treason.
The court’s decision, made on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, sets the bail at N10 million each, with one surety required for each defendant in a similar amount.
In his ruling, Justice Nwite emphasized the principles of Nigeria’s criminal justice system, asserting that every accused individual is presumed innocent until proven guilty. He supported this view by agreeing with the arguments presented by the defense counsel, Abubakar Marshall, who represented the first, second, and fourth defendants.
Justice Nwite noted, “I have carefully considered the submission of the counsel on both sides. I hereby grant the defendants bail notwithstanding the crime.” He further stipulated that each of the ten defendants must provide a surety for the bail amount set at N10 million.
The decision to grant bail follows a contentious legal battle over the protesters’ detention. The #EndBadGovernance movement has been a significant socio-political force in Nigeria, advocating for systemic reforms and transparency in governance. The court’s ruling reflects a balance between upholding the rights of the accused and maintaining legal accountability.