News
Hunger protesters get N10m bail, barred from further demonstrations
Justice Emeka Nwite of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Wednesday, granted bail to 10 activists, who are being prosecuted by the Federal Government over the recent #Hunger or #Endbadgovernance protests.
The judge, in a ruling on Wednesday, said he was inclined to granting bail to the defendants, notwithstanding that the Federal Government charged them with capital offences, such as treason and mutiny.
The judge, however, barred the defendants from participating in any protest while their trial lasted in court.
The defendants are Michael Adaramoye, also known as Lenin, Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nurudeen Khamis and Abduldalam Zubair.
They are facing six counts in connection with alleged treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit felony and inciting to mutiny, punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
The defendants were also accused of making an attempt to force their way into the seat of power during which they reportedly burned down a police station and injured police officers.
They were also accused of inciting the Nigerian public against the government and destroying several public property, including a police station, high court complex and the National Communications Commission facilities.
All 10 defendants in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them by the Inspector General of Police.
Delivering his ruling on their bail applications on Wednesday, Justice Nwite said he was inclined to admit the defendants to bail because “the defendants/ applicants have shown in their proof of evidence that the defendants’ applicant are just protesters.”
Justice Nwite agreed with the argument of the first, second and fourth defendants’ counsel, Abubakar Marshal, “that anybody charged with a criminal offence must be presumed innocent until proven guilty.”
The judge said, “I have carefully considered the submission of the counsel on both divides. I hereby grant the defendant bail, notwithstanding the crime.
“The bail is hereby granted to the defendants’ applicant in the sum of N10m each and one surety in like sum.”
The sureties, according to the judge, must be Abuja-based property owner, willing to deposit the title document with the court and must also swear to an affidavit of means.
The judge ordered that the defendants and their sureties must deposit their passports and three recent passport photographs with the court registrar.
However, the judge said they would return to the prison custody until they perfected their respective bail conditions.
Justice Nwite also ordered the defendants to refrain from participating in any public rally or protests throughout their trial and fixed September 27 for the commencement of the trial.
At Wednesday’s sitting, Abubakar appeared for the first, second, and fourth defendant applicants.
Although he appeared for the third defendant at the previous sitting, he informed the court that the third defendant had been excluded from his legal representation.
A fresh outbreak of ethnic violence between the Jukun and Tiv communities has erupted in Taraba State, with suspected Jukun militias launching an early-morning attack on Dekeh Village along the Wukari–Kente Road.
According to security sources available to Zagazola Makama, the incident occurred at approximately 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
About six armed assailants stormed the village, opening fire indiscriminately and setting 15 huts ablaze. The attack forced residents to flee in panic, leaving behind food items, including yam seedlings, which were destroyed in the blaze.
One resident identified as Mdue Saaondo, sustained gunshot injuries during the assault. He was rescued by a joint team of police and military personnel and transported to the Federal University Teaching Hospital in Wukari for medical treatment.
The Taraba State Police Command has launched an investigation to identify and apprehend those responsible. Authorities have also scheduled a security meeting with the Wukari Local Government Traditional Council as part of efforts to restore peace and encourage dialogue between the Tiv and Jukun communities, who have long-standing disputes over land and territorial claims.
“Patrol and surveillance operations are ongoing to forestall further violence and ensure stability in the area,” police authorities stated.
The incident adds to the growing list of violent clashes that have plagued southern Taraba in recent years, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable resolution to the communal tensions.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles booked a place in the quarter-final at the 2025 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations after playing out a 2-2 draw against Kenya.
Aliyu Zubairu’s side finished second in Group B with five points from three games.
The Atlas Cub of Morocco top the group with seven points after beating Tunisia 3-1 at the Suez Canal Stadium in Ismailia.
Kenya started the game strongly, and deservedly took the lead after six minutes.
Nigeria defender Emmanuel Chukwu handled the ball inside the box, and after initially awarding a free kick to Kenya, the centre referee pointed to the spot following consultation with VAR.
Captain Kevin Wangaya Colly slotted the ball past Ebenezer Harcourt to give the Rising Stars the lead.
The Flying Eagles fought back seven minutes later with Lillestrøm striker Kparobo Arierhi netting after he was put on through on goal by Simon Cletus.
Nigeria dominated the game in the second half but failed to test the Kenyan goalkeeper.
Kenya took the lead for the second time in the game through substitute William Nwangi on 68 minutes.
Nwangi lashed home Humphrey Kegengo’s free kick from inside the box.
Daniel Bameyi, however, converted from the spot to hand the Flying Eagles a share of the spoils.
United States President Donald Trump has announced a fresh slate of judicial nominees in a series of posts on Truth Social on Tuesday.
The president, who has repeatedly expressed frustration over what he sees as judicial obstruction, followed up on Wednesday with a post criticising the judiciary for allegedly preventing him from carrying out the mandate of the American people.
The Republican leader, whose second-term agenda has encountered multiple judicial roadblocks, wrote: “Our Court System is not letting me do the job I was Elected to do.
“Activist judges must let the [Donald] Trump Administration deport murderers, and other criminals who have come into our Country illegally, WITHOUT DELAY!!!”
Trump named Maria Lanahan, Missouri’s Principal Deputy Solicitor General, as a nominee for a judgeship on the US District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri. He praised her as “a true patriot” in a post on Tuesday.
The 78-year-old also nominated Judge Cristian Stevens to serve on the same court, describing him in another post as “a Great Patriot.”
The announcements came a day after a federal appeals court declined the Trump administration’s request to revoke temporary legal status from hundreds of thousands of Nicaraguans, Venezuelans, Haitians, and Cubans living in the United States.
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