Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria has ordered the remand of several protesters from the recent #EndBadGovernance demonstrations at the Kuje Correctional Center.
The decision came after the protesters pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge, including terrorism, brought against them by the Federal Government.
The court set September 11, 2024, as the date to rule on their bail application. The defendants’ counsel had sought bail, but the request was opposed by Simon Lough, SAN, representing the prosecution. Lough argued that some of the charges are punishable by capital punishment.
Justice Nwite rejected the defense’s request for police custody and instead directed that the protesters be held at Kuje Correctional Center, while the sole female defendant is to be kept at Keffi Correctional Center in Nasarawa State.
The charges, filed on August 30, 2024, and signed by DCP Simon Lough for the Inspector General of Police (IGP), include allegations of treason, destabilizing the country, and intimidating the President. The court also named British citizen Andrew Wynne, aka Andrew Povich, as a co-defendant.
The IGP accuses the protesters of conspiring to destabilize Nigeria between July 1 and August 4, 2024, with plans that allegedly included violent actions against police and military installations.
Ten additional suspects involved in the alleged plot have been arraigned before the court on charges of Criminal Conspiracy, Terrorism Financing, Treasonable Felony, Subversion, and Cybercrime.
Justice Nwite’s decision has drawn attention to the ongoing investigation, with the Federal Government aiming to address what it views as a serious threat to national security.
