On Monday, September 2, the Federal Government brought 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters before a federal high court in Abuja. These individuals had been arrested across various cities including Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe and face treasonable felony charges, which carry the death penalty. They are accused of conspiring to destabilize Nigeria.
The defendants, who were brought to court under heavy security, pleaded not guilty to the six charges read to them by Justice Emeka Nwite. The accused are Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye (also known as Lenin), Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi (also known as Yomi), Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello (also known as Murtala), Nuradeen Khamis, and Abdulsalam Zubairu.
The protesters have contested the court order that authorized their arrest and detention, claiming that President Bola Tinubu lacked the authority to detain them. They challenged the August 22, 2024, Federal High Court order issued by Justice Emeka Nwite, which allowed the Inspector General of Police to detain them for 60 days while the investigation is ongoing.
In their affidavit, sworn by Paul Ochayi, the protesters argued that their right to protest is fundamental and that President Tinubu had previously led protests without facing harassment or detention. They contended that the actions of the security agencies have unjustly threatened and violated their rights to life, dignity, health, and freedom of movement.
On August 26, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo and 48 others filed a lawsuit against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, through a motion on notice. Represented by a team led by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, they argued that the ex-parte motion used to authorize their detention was based on false information and misrepresentation. They requested that the court annul or overturn the 60-day detention order and grant their release on bail.
