Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court granted bail on Friday to 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters, with bail terms set at a total of N760 million. Each of the defendants was required to meet a N10 million bail and provide two sureties—one a Level 15 civil servant and the other a parent of the accused.
The stringent bail conditions included submitting letters of last promotion, letters of appointment, identification, and verified addresses, along with depositing passports and passport photos. Justice Egwuatu emphasized that these conditions aim to ensure the defendants’ return to court.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, arraigned the group on charges that include treason and incitement, alleging the defendants encouraged the military to remove President Bola Tinubu. All 76 defendants pleaded not guilty.
A tense moment arose during the court proceedings when four defendants collapsed in the courtroom. The judge temporarily paused proceedings to allow medical aid and ordered additional space to accommodate all defendants. The prosecution requested to discharge the four ill defendants until they are well enough to stand trial, which the judge granted without acquittal.
Due to the severity of the charges, Justice Egwuatu ordered that adults be held in Kuje Correctional Centre and minors in the Borstal Centre in Gwagwalada, pending fulfillment of bail terms. The group, arrested during protests across six states, includes 32 minors.
The case will resume on January 24, with another 43 protesters set to appear in court under similar charges.