FG re-arraigns 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters on amended charge
The Federal Government on Friday re-arraigned ten protesters connected to the #EndBadGovernance movement on an amended charge of treasonable felony. The protesters, who were involved in demonstrations between August 1 and 10, had initially been arraigned on a six-count charge earlier this month.
The Inspector-General of Police, through counsel Simon Lough, SAN, presented an eight-count amended charge before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which included the addition of Daniel Akande as the 11th defendant. Akande, a member of the Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights, had been arrested in Abuja during a church service on September 1.
The #EndBadGovernance protest, which spanned multiple states including Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Gombe, resulted in outbreaks of violence and reported fatalities, leading to the arrests. The accused protesters were granted N10 million bail each on September 11.
Upon hearing the amended charges, all defendants, including Akande, pleaded not guilty. Akande’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, successfully applied for his client’s bail under similar conditions to the other defendants, with the judge agreeing to the terms.
Counsel for the 1st and 2nd defendants, Abubakar Marshal, opposed the amended charge, arguing that the prosecution had not followed proper legal procedures under Section 216 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015. Marshal also pointed out the absence of proof of evidence, hindering the defense’s preparation.
Justice Nwite, after considering both parties’ arguments, granted the prosecution’s request to amend the charges. The judge also addressed ongoing issues with bail conditions, agreeing to review the terms for the 3rd, 4th, and 10th defendants.
The case was adjourned to October 4 for ruling on bail variations, with trial set to commence on November 11.
