A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted N10 million bail to 72 defendants charged over their involvement in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest.
Presiding Judge Obiora Egwuatu stipulated that each defendant must present two sureties in like sum. One surety must be a civil servant of grade level 15 or higher with a verifiable address within the court’s jurisdiction, while the other must be a parent of the defendant.
The court had set Friday for the arraignment of 76 defendants, the majority of whom are minors.
As proceedings began, the children, appearing ill and malnourished, were asked to come forward to enter their pleas. Due to limited space, some huddled in the dock, while others stood outside.
During the session, four minors collapsed and writhed in pain, prompting the judge to adjourn briefly until order was restored.
Upon resuming, the prosecution requested that the names of the four unwell children be withdrawn from the charge.
The remaining defendants were arraigned and entered pleas of not guilty.
The 76 individuals, arrested across Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states, face charges including treason.
