Presiding over the case on Friday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu set a bail amount of N10 million for each defendant, with specific conditions. Each must secure two sureties for this amount—one being a civil servant of at least grade level 15 with a verifiable address within the court’s jurisdiction, and the other a parent of the protester.
Charges against five minors involved in the protests were temporarily withdrawn by the government after the youths collapsed in court.
These minors, who had been detained for several weeks, reportedly exhibited signs of poor health, which worsened during the hearing and necessitated urgent medical attention.
Witnesses described the scene as distressing, with lawyers assisting the fainted minors as they entered the dock. “A couple of them fainted inside the courtroom because of maltreatment; they have not eaten for some days,” a source informed SaharaReporters, alleging that authorities were using hunger as a form of punishment for exercising their rights.
The prosecution subsequently requested the temporary withdrawal of charges on health grounds, as provided by the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. Defense counsel Abubakar Marshal demanded the minors be released to their parents for recovery.
On Thursday, the Network of Abuja Left Groups advocated for the immediate release of all 76 detained protesters, including 32 minors, who they say have been held for months. The coalition condemned the current administration for stifling opposition voices.
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