A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the police’s request to detain 124 individuals arrested during #EndBadGovernance protests for 60 days, pending the completion of investigations.
Justice Emeka Nwite issued separate rulings on ex-parte motions presented by Ibrahim Mohammed, the legal representative for the Inspector-General of Police, approving the temporary detention of the suspects while the investigation continues.
The judge also ordered that the minors among the suspects be held at the Borstal Home of the correctional center during this period.
In the first ex-parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1154/2024 and moved by Mohammed on August 14, the court directed that the suspects be remanded for 60 days to allow for the investigation to be concluded and for legal advice to be provided by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
The Inspector-General’s office, through the National Security Adviser (NSA), reportedly received credible intelligence about a planned violent uprising against the Nigerian government, leading to the suspects’ arrest. They were charged with offenses including terrorism, treason, and related felonies, which are contrary to various sections of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the Criminal Code Act, the Penal Code Act, and other relevant laws.
Elizabeth Ogochukwu, a Litigation Secretary with the Legal and Prosecution Section of the Intelligence Response Team at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, stated in an affidavit supporting the motion that the suspects were caught in the act, with many of them allegedly carrying Russian flags and other incriminating items. The investigation revealed that the suspects were involved in a conspiracy to destabilize the Nigerian government, with some foreign nationals allegedly playing key roles.
In a second ex-parte motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1223/2024 and moved by Mohammed on Thursday, Justice Nwite gave a court order for another group of 49 defendants to be remanded for 60 days pending further investigation. The case was adjourned until October 23 for mention. The suspects are accused of terrorism financing and conspiring with foreign nationals to overthrow Nigeria’s democratically elected government.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were recruited by financiers to carry out acts of mayhem and to support efforts to overthrow the government.
