A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Nigerian Police’s application to remand 124 individuals arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests for 60 days, pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation. The decision, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, came after the Inspector-General (I-G) of the Police’s counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed, presented two ex-parte motions. Justice Nwite ruled that the suspects, whose ages range between 14 and 34 years, should remain in custody while investigations continue. The suspects face serious charges, including acts of terrorism, treason, treasonable felonies, and arson, among other offences. The first ex-parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1154/2024, was moved on August 14. In this motion, the court ordered the remand of 75 protesters, including Abubakar Ibrahim (18), Abubakar Adam (19), Suleiman Ali (16), Mubarak Masud (23), Umar Musa (19), Aminu Hussaini (20), Umar Kabir (23), Ibrahim Musa (24), Abba Usman (30), Umar Inusa (18), Tasiu Lawan (17), Ibrahim Rabiu (16), Jamilu Haruna (16), Muktar Yahaya (17), Abdulbasit Abdulsalam (34), Salisu Adamu (16), Bilal Auwalu (15), Abdulaziz Adam (15), Sadiq Sunusi (15), Muhd Musa (14), Usman Amiru (14), Abdulganiyu Musa (15), Muhd Yahaya (19), and Sunusi Nura (14), among others. These individuals, many of them minors, are alleged to have violated multiple sections of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the Criminal Code Act, and the Penal Code Act, among other laws. According to an affidavit filed by Miss Elizabeth Ogochukwu, a Litigation Secretary with the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the arrests followed credible intelligence received by the police, indicating a planned violent uprising aimed at destabilising the country. Ogochukwu noted:The planned violent insurrection was believed to have been orchestrated by terrorist groups both within and outside Nigeria to unleash terror against the sovereign states of Nigeria scheduled to start from the 1st day of August 2015. Ogochukwu further explained that despite intensified security measures, the protests went ahead, leading to widespread violence, intimidation, and destruction of public and private property. She stated:The violent protest causes death and bodily harm to citizens of the country and led to arson and wanton destructions of government or public and private facilities, transport systems, and infrastructural facilities in Nigeria. The police allege that the suspects were found in possession of Russian flags and banners, and were promoting an invasion of Nigerian territory by Russia. The affidavit also mentioned that thorough investigation and the apprehension of sponsors required more time than initially anticipated, justifying the request for a 60-day remand. In a separate ruling on a second ex-parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1223/2024 and moved days ago, Justice Nwite ordered the remand of another 49 suspects. This group is also accused of engaging in acts aimed at overthrowing a democratically elected government. The judge directed that underage suspects be held in the Borstal Home of the correctional center, with the case adjourned until October 23 for further mention. This second group includes Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo, Michael Adaramuye, Musiu Sadiq, Buhari Lawal, Love Angel Innocent, Suleiman Yakubu, Yunusa Aliyu, Ahmad Nasir, Muhammed Sani, Iliyasu Anas, Abdullahi Sani, Gaddafi Muhammed, Jibrin Abdulhakim, Mahmud Umar, Kabiru Rabiu, Aminu Muhammed, Sagir Hassan, Lukman Abubakar, Ahmed Isah, Abdullahi Abdulwahab, Hassan Muhammad, Abdullahi Salisu, Sabo Murtala, Fahad Ibrahim, Umar Yakubu, Zakari Yakubu, and Ahmed Haruna. In support of the motion, Detective Gregory Woje from the Force Criminal Investigation Department alleged that preliminary investigations revealed the involvement of foreign nationals and local financiers in the conspiracy. Woje noted:Preliminary investigation further revealed that the financiers were sending money to recruit indigents and other vulnerable individuals to carry banners and overthrow a democratically elected government. The police emphasized the seriousness of the charges, which include terrorism financing, treasonable felonies, and criminal conspiracy. The authorities argue that keeping the suspects in custody is necessary to prevent potential health risks in overcrowded cells and to avoid the possibility of escape. The case has been adjourned to October 23, allowing time for the completion of the investigation and further legal proceedings. The post #EndBadGovernance: Court permits police to remand 124 protesters appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
#EndBadGovernance: Court permits police to remand 124 protesters
A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Nigerian Police’s application to remand 124 individuals arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests for 60 days, pending the conclusion of an ongoing investigation. The decision, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite, came after the Inspector-General (I-G) of the Police’s counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed, presented two ex-parte motions. Justice Nwite ruled that the suspects, whose ages range between 14 and 34 years, should remain in custody while investigations continue. The suspects face serious charges, including acts of terrorism, treason, treasonable felonies, and arson, among other offences. The first ex-parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1154/2024, was moved on August 14. In this motion, the court ordered the remand of 75 protesters, including Abubakar Ibrahim (18), Abubakar Adam (19), Suleiman Ali (16), Mubarak Masud (23), Umar Musa (19), Aminu Hussaini (20), Umar Kabir (23), Ibrahim Musa (24), Abba Usman (30), Umar Inusa (18), Tasiu Lawan (17), Ibrahim Rabiu (16), Jamilu Haruna (16), Muktar Yahaya (17), Abdulbasit Abdulsalam (34), Salisu Adamu (16), Bilal Auwalu (15), Abdulaziz Adam (15), Sadiq Sunusi (15), Muhd Musa (14), Usman Amiru (14), Abdulganiyu Musa (15), Muhd Yahaya (19), and Sunusi Nura (14), among others. These individuals, many of them minors, are alleged to have violated multiple sections of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the Criminal Code Act, and the Penal Code Act, among other laws. According to an affidavit filed by Miss Elizabeth Ogochukwu, a Litigation Secretary with the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), the arrests followed credible intelligence received by the police, indicating a planned violent uprising aimed at destabilising the country. Ogochukwu noted:The planned violent insurrection was believed to have been orchestrated by terrorist groups both within and outside Nigeria to unleash terror against the sovereign states of Nigeria scheduled to start from the 1st day of August 2015. Ogochukwu further explained that despite intensified security measures, the protests went ahead, leading to widespread violence, intimidation, and destruction of public and private property. She stated:The violent protest causes death and bodily harm to citizens of the country and led to arson and wanton destructions of government or public and private facilities, transport systems, and infrastructural facilities in Nigeria. The police allege that the suspects were found in possession of Russian flags and banners, and were promoting an invasion of Nigerian territory by Russia. The affidavit also mentioned that thorough investigation and the apprehension of sponsors required more time than initially anticipated, justifying the request for a 60-day remand. In a separate ruling on a second ex-parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1223/2024 and moved days ago, Justice Nwite ordered the remand of another 49 suspects. This group is also accused of engaging in acts aimed at overthrowing a democratically elected government. The judge directed that underage suspects be held in the Borstal Home of the correctional center, with the case adjourned until October 23 for further mention. This second group includes Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo, Michael Adaramuye, Musiu Sadiq, Buhari Lawal, Love Angel Innocent, Suleiman Yakubu, Yunusa Aliyu, Ahmad Nasir, Muhammed Sani, Iliyasu Anas, Abdullahi Sani, Gaddafi Muhammed, Jibrin Abdulhakim, Mahmud Umar, Kabiru Rabiu, Aminu Muhammed, Sagir Hassan, Lukman Abubakar, Ahmed Isah, Abdullahi Abdulwahab, Hassan Muhammad, Abdullahi Salisu, Sabo Murtala, Fahad Ibrahim, Umar Yakubu, Zakari Yakubu, and Ahmed Haruna. In support of the motion, Detective Gregory Woje from the Force Criminal Investigation Department alleged that preliminary investigations revealed the involvement of foreign nationals and local financiers in the conspiracy. Woje noted:Preliminary investigation further revealed that the financiers were sending money to recruit indigents and other vulnerable individuals to carry banners and overthrow a democratically elected government. The police emphasized the seriousness of the charges, which include terrorism financing, treasonable felonies, and criminal conspiracy. The authorities argue that keeping the suspects in custody is necessary to prevent potential health risks in overcrowded cells and to avoid the possibility of escape. The case has been adjourned to October 23, allowing time for the completion of the investigation and further legal proceedings. The post #EndBadGovernance: Court permits police to remand 124 protesters appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.
