EndBadGovernance: 10 Protesters Charged With Attempt To Overthrow Tinubu’s Govt

Ten members of the #endbadgovernance# protesters were on Monday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of attempt to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Government between July 1 and August 4 this year.

The accused persons were said to have committed the offence during the one week nationwide protests when they allegedly levied war against Nigeria contrary to sections 96, 410 and 413 of the Penal Code.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP, who brought the charges against them, alleged that the accused persons broke into the Abacha Army Barracks and openly called on the military to take over the constitutional government of President Tinubu.

He also alleged that they attempted to force their way into the seat of power during which they allegedly burnt down a police station and injured police officers inciting the Nigerian public against the government and destroyed several public property
in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Gombe states, among others.

However, all the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges when read to them.

Upon their denial of the allegations, Counsel for the IGP, Simon Lough, asked Justice Emeka Nwite to remand the accused persons in prison pending their trial.

However, counsel to the defendants Marshall Abubakar moved oral applications for bail of the accused persons.

Abubakar told Justice Emeka Nwite that his clients were presumed innocent in law until proved otherwise by the IGP, adding also that bail is the Constitutional rights of the defendants.

Besides, the counsel submitted that the defendants had been held in custody for close to a month by the police who he said have completed investigation into the allegations against his clients before bringing them to court.

The lawyer assured the Judge that the defendants would not jump bail if granted and that they will also not tamper with witnesses in the matter.

However, counsel to Police, Simon Lough SAN vehemently objected to the bail requests on the ground of the gravity of alleged offences the accused persons were charged with.

In a brief reaction, Justice Nwite ordered that the defendants be remanded at Kuje prison in Abuja and Suleja prison in Niger State and
adjourned ruling in their bail applications till September 11.

The Judge ordered that the nine males defendants are to remain in Kuje prison while the only female defendant said to be pregnant, Angel Love Innocent was ordered to be taken to Suleja prison.

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Shakira Alabi