Four of the protesters arrested alongside Comrade Michael Adaramoye Lenin during the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations have been released from Kuje Prison after perfecting their bail conditions.
The detained protesters, identified as Bashir Bello, Suleiman Yakubu, Abdulsalam Zubairu, and Buhari Lawal, left the prison facility on Tuesday.
Their release was confirmed on Tuesday by the National Secretary of Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), Francis Nwapa, who shared the update via his X handle.
Nwapa disclosed that over 100 protesters, including minors, were moved from Kano to Abuja following their arrests.
He said, “We still have over 100 moved from Kano to Abuja, languishing in police IRT & Kuje Prison without trial.
“We also have 15 minors held at juvenile detention centers. We demand immediate and unconditional release of all detained protesters.”
Earlier in October, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore, said, “Three of our comrades who’ve languished in prison for partaking in the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria revolt have just fulfilled their bail conditions, and out of Kuje prison cells, they are: 1. Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye “Lenin” 2. Mosiu Sadiq 3. Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon.
“We eagerly await the final release of others, including Isaac Bristol @PIDOMNIGERIA, as soon as possible. #RevolutionNow #TakeItBack #NoGoingBack#
The young Nigerians were brutalised and arrested by the police and other security agents at various locations in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano and Gombe, while exercising their constitutional rights of freedom of peaceful assembly as guaranteed in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
The protesters were on September 2, 2024 arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges bordering on treasonable felony among others.
On September 11, 10 of them were granted bail with strict conditions, requiring N10 million each and one surety of the same amount. However, those struggling to meet these conditions were brought to court handcuffed and under tight security by Nigerian Correctional Centre officers. Despite this, the protesters remained defiant and energetic.
The defendants are Michael Adaramoye, also known as Lenin, Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sodiq, Bashir Bello, Nurudeen Khamis and Abduldalam Zubair.
The N10 million bail requirement was later reviewed downward to N5 million.
They are facing six counts bordering on alleged treason, intent to destabilize Nigeria, conspiracy to commit a felony, and inciting to mutiny, which is said to be an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.