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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.
The lawmaker representing Abia South, Senator Abaribe, said the arrest of separatist agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland is a welcome development.
The lawmaker stated that the arrest would deter purveyors of violence in the southeast region from continuing the mayhem being unleashed in the region.
According to him, Ekpa and his supporters are hiding behind the Biafra agitation to perpetrate crimes in the region.
In an interview with Channels TV, Abaribe said: “The arrest of Simon Ekpa is something that is very very welcome because this will tell all those people at home, who are purveyors of violence and instigated by Simon Ekpa that he actually said that he is just a content creator and not a serious person.
“We have always said that his activities in South East are totally wrong and not what Ndigbo stands for.
“The quest by the IPOB seeking non-violence referendum was turned by all these criminals. They are using IPOB to cause mayhem in the South-East.”
The Nigerian military said its troops of Operation Udo Ka have neutralised several suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB and its security wing, the Eastern Security Network, ESN, in Imo State.
The Nigerian Army Headquarters stated this in a post on its official Facebook page on Monday.
The post said the operation was carried out along the Ekeututu–Ihiteunansa Road in Orsu Local Government Area of the state.
According to the post: “During the operation, the troops encountered suspected IPOB/ESN members. In the ensuing engagement, several of the suspected criminals were neutralized.
“Captured items included pump-action guns, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and IED-making materials, as well as charms.
“The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General OO Oluyede, commended the troops for their gallantry and urged them to sustain their efforts in eliminating criminal elements from their hideouts.
“He also reassured the peace-loving people of the South East to carry on with their daily activities without fear.”
News
Few Months After Retirement From Winners Chapel, Bishop David Abioye Launches New Ministry, Gives Reasons
Bishop David Abioye has explained why he’s setting up his own ministry after leaving the Living Faith Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel.
This is coming just after retirement from office as Vice President of Living Faith Church worldwide.
The revered cleric unveiled plans for a new spiritual platform titled Hour of Revival. The maiden edition of the Hour of Revival took place on Saturday at the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja, drawing a large crowd of participants from diverse backgrounds.
Addressing the attendees, Bishop Abioye emphasized that the initiative was a divine directive.
Bishop Abioye further clarified that the revival platform is not his personal project but an ordained mission by God.
He called on participants to embrace personal revival as a pathway to corporate revival, expressing his hope that everyone in attendance would be transformed into fire-catchers and fire-spreaders.
The Hour of Revival, which is open to both saved and unsaved individuals, serves as an interdenominational prayer platform to rekindle spiritual fire and inspire personal and collective renewal.
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News40 minutes agoFew Months After Retirement From Winners Chapel, Bishop David Abioye Launches New Ministry, Gives Reasons