Mohammed Shosanya
The Federal Government through the Inspector General of Police, Monday, arraigned ten members of the #endbadgovernance# protesters before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The accused persons were alleged to have committed offence of treason during the 10-day nationwide protests.
All the accused persons denied the charges when read to them.
They are; Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simon, Angel Love Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello Nurudeen Khamis and Abduldalam Zubair.
Counsel for the IGP, Simon Lough, (SAN), prayed the trial judge, Emeka Nwite to remand the accused persons in prison pending their trial.
The oral applications for bail of the defendants moved separately by Abubakar Marshall, and Deji Adeyanju, were rejected by the court.
The Police lawyer, Simon Lough vehemently objected to the bail applications, considering the gravity of the alleged offences.
He cited mutiny aimed at changing democratic government by force through incitement and involvement of a British national against the Nigerian nation.
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.
He ordered that the nine male 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.
Justice Nwite said he needed time to consult the retinue of authorities cited by lawyers to the defendants to back up their bail applications.
The accused were charged for attempting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu bewteen August 1st to 4th, this year.
The alleged treason charge was contrary to sections 96, 410 and 413 of the Penal Code.
In the charge, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), claimed the accused persons broke into the Abacha Army Barracks and openly called on the military to take over the constitutional government of President Tinubu.
Also, the IGP alleged that the suspects attempted to force their way into Also Rock during which they allegedly burnt down police station and injured some police officers.
Police also told the court that a 70- year old British citizen, Andrew Martin Wynne, now at large was largely responsible for instigating mutiny against the Nigerian government.
Besides,they were accused of inciting the Nigerian public against the government and destroyed several public properties comprising Police station, High Court complex and National Communication Commission (NCC) facilities.