Ten protesters who had been arrested during the recent #EndBadGovernace protests in the country were on Wednesday granted bail by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Justice Emeka Nwoke granted them bail in the sum of N10 million naira with one surety each in like sum. The sureties must have landed property in Abuja, produce documents of the properties, and submit them to court.
The protesters had been detained on charges including treason.
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In his ruling, Justice Nwite emphasized that Nigeria’s criminal justice system outlines specific provisions for both the prosecution and the defense.
He supported the argument made by the defense counsel for the 1st, 2nd, and 4th defendants, Abubakar Marshall, that “anybody charged with a criminal offence must be presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
Justice Nwite stated, “I have carefully considered the submission of the counsel on both divides. I hereby grant the defendants bail notwithstanding the crime. The bail is hereby granted to the defendants applicant in the sum of N10 million each and one surety in like sum.”
More details coming shortly