The Nigeria Police Force has secured court approval to detain 124 individuals arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protest for an additional 60 days while investigations continue.
This decision was sanctioned by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, following a series of ex-parte motions filed by Ibrahim Mohammed, the counsel representing the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
In multiple rulings, Justice Nwite authorized the interim detention of the suspects until the ongoing investigation is concluded. Notably, the judge ordered that those among the detained who are minors be held at a Borstal Home within the correctional facility until further notice.
One of the motions, FHC/ABJ/CS/1154/2024, filed on August 9, 2024, sought the remand of 75 protesters, aged between 14 and 34, for 60 days. Among those named in the motion were Abubakar Ibrahim (18), Suleiman Ali (16), and Muhd Musa (14). These individuals, along with others, face serious charges, including terrorism, treason, and related felonies such as arson.
The police allege that the protesters violated several sections of Nigeria’s laws, including the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act of 2022 and the Criminal Code Act. The charges also cite the defendants’ possession of Russian flags and slogans that allegedly agitated for the destabilization of Nigeria.
Miss Elizabeth Ogochukwu, Litigation Secretary for the Legal and Prosecution Section of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) at Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, provided key testimony supporting the motion. She revealed that the Inspector-General’s office received credible intelligence indicating a planned violent insurrection orchestrated by terrorist groups, both domestic and international, aimed at destabilizing the Nigerian state.
“The planned violent insurrection was believed to have been organized by terrorist groups within and outside Nigeria, with the intention of instigating terror against the sovereign states of Nigeria, with the scheduled commencement date being August 1, 2024,” Ogochukwu stated.
She further elaborated that despite intensified security measures, the protest took place as planned, leading to widespread intimidation, destruction of infrastructure, and loss of life. According to Ogochukwu, the suspects were apprehended during these acts of rampage and are believed to be connected to the crimes.
In support of the second ex-parte motion, FHC/ABJ/CS/1223/2024, filed on August 21, Justice Nwite ordered the remand of an additional 49 defendants for 60 days, pending the completion of investigations. The judge emphasized that defendants under 18 should also be held at a Borstal Home.
The police, in their affidavit, argued that the accused were involved in financing terrorism with the aim of overthrowing the government, conspiring with foreign nationals, and advocating for the recognition of a foreign country within Nigeria. Detective Gregory Woje of the Force Criminal Investigation Department in Abuja detailed that the preliminary investigation revealed the suspects were being financed by individuals intent on causing chaos.
Woje stated, “Preliminary investigation further revealed that the financiers were sending money to recruit indigents and other vulnerable individuals to carry banners and overthrow a democratically elected government.”
The list of defendants includes individuals such as Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo, Michael Adaramuye, and Gaddafi Muhammed, among others. These suspects face charges related to criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, and treasonable felony, with the investigation still ongoing.
