The Federal Government is set to arraign several leaders and organizers of the #EndBadGovernance protests, which took place from August 1 to 10, 2024 today.
The individuals are being prosecuted for alleged treason, inciting mutiny, and intent to destabilize Nigeria.
The ten defendants appearing before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court include Michael Adaramoye (known as Lenin), Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaoluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nuradeen Khamis, and Abdulsalam Zubairu.
Additionally, a British citizen, Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich, has been named as a defendant in the six-count charge filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
The charge sheet, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, accuses the defendants of treason, conspiring to destabilize the country, intimidating the President, and destroying the NCC in Kano, among other charges.
According to the IG, the protesters acted in concert to destabilize Nigeria, committing a felony—namely treason—between July 1 and August 4, 2024. This offense is alleged to be contrary to Section 95 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
The defendants are further accused of inciting mutiny, waging war against the state, and attacking various government institutions, including police stations, the High Court Complex, the NCC Complex, and other facilities in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe.
The prosecution asserts that these actions were carried out in collaboration with Wynne, who allegedly incited public disturbance and disaffection towards the government.
These actions, according to the IG, constitute offenses under Sections 96, 97, 410, and 416 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 204.