The federal government has arraigned 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters, which took place nationwide from August 1-10, on allegations of treason.
The protests sought to address various grievances, including:
1. Reduced cost of governance
2. Reinstatement of petrol subsidy
3. Food security
4. Fiscal discipline
Although largely peaceful, some demonstrations turned violent, resulting in looting and vandalism in several states.
Following the protests, police arrested 124 individuals, with 10 appearing before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge, including:
1. Treason
2. Intent to destabilize Nigeria
3. Conspiracy to commit felony
4. Inciting mutiny
These offenses are punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
They were also accused of trying to start a war against the country, intimidating the president by attacking and injuring police officers and burning police stations.
The defendants were also charged with torching the NCC complex in Kano, Kano Printing Press, Kano government house, and several other buildings.
The defendants include Michael Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaoluwa Simon and Angel Innocent.
Others are Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nuradeen Khamis and Abdulsalam Zubairu.
After the plea, their lawyers, including Marshall Abubakar and Deji Adeyanju, moved their respective oral applications for bail.
They submitted that the defendants were peaceful protesters.
The lawyers also said the only woman amongst the defendants is pregnant.
Simon Lough, prosecution counsel, opposed the application.
Emeka Nwite, presiding judge, ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kuje prison pending ruling on their bail applications on September 11.
