Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has approved a variation request for the bail of five #EndBadGovernance protesters, reducing their bail amount to N5 million each.

This decision follows an earlier ruling on September 11, when the court granted bail for all 10 protesters, totalling N100 million.

The protesters had faced challenges in meeting the original bail conditions, which required a surety with landed property in Abuja. In his ruling, Justice Nwite stated that the bail was set at N10 million for each defendant, along with the requirement of a surety in a similar amount.

The latest adjustment aims to alleviate the financial burden on the protesters as they navigate their ongoing legal issues.

The defence lawyers, however, approached the Court to appeal the bail condition for the sake of the five others who couldn’t meet the requirements.

Following the variation application by the defence lawyers, Justice Nwite granted the defendants bail in a total sum of 25 million naira for the five defendants who requested the variation.

He said, “Bail variation granted in the sum of 5 million naira bail bond each and one surety in like sum.”

He further stated that the surety must be a blood relative, specifically a father or mother. If neither parent is available, other blood relatives within the jurisdiction will be allowed.

The 10 defendants, Michael Adaramoye, also known as Lenin, Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nurudeen Khamis, and Abduldalam Zubair, are facing a six-count count bordering on alleged treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit felony, and inciting to mutiny, which is said to be an offence punishable under Section 97 of the penal code.

The defendants were also said to have allegedly attempted to force their way into the seat of power, during which they allegedly burnt down police stations and injured police officers.

The FG also accused them of inciting the Nigerian public against the government and destroying several public properties, comprising a police station, the High Court complex, and National Communication Commission facilities.

All ten defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge brought against them by the Inspector General of Police.