In Abuja, a federal high court granted bail to 72 individuals facing charges linked to their involvement in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests. 

The protests, which spread across various states, were aimed at speaking out against government policies and pushing for systemic changes in Nigeria.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu presided over the case, setting bail at N10 million for each defendant and outlining strict conditions to secure their release.

According to the judge’s ruling, each person granted bail must provide two sureties, each responsible for the bail amount.

One of these sureties must be a civil servant at grade level 15 or above and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court to enable verification.

The other surety has to be the parent of the defendant, reflecting the court’s decision to add a layer of accountability, particularly for the young individuals involved in the case.

Initially, the court scheduled arraignment for 76 defendants, a significant number of whom were minors.

As the proceedings got underway, it became evident that many of these young people were physically unwell.

Reports indicated that some appeared malnourished, a reflection of the conditions they may have faced since their arrest.

The overcrowding in the courtroom only worsened the situation, as several minors had to stand outside the designated area due to lack of space.

In the middle of the session, four minors collapsed, causing a disturbance that led Justice Egwuatu to temporarily halt proceedings to restore order.

When the court session resumed, prosecutors informed the judge that the names of the four minors who had collapsed would be removed from the list of defendants, allowing them to receive immediate medical attention.

The remaining defendants, who were brought from different states including Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano, were then arraigned.

Each entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against them, which included serious accusations such as treason, among other offences.

The case has drawn attention due to the youth of the defendants and the significant bail conditions attached.