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Treason Case Against #EndBadGovernance Protesters Faces Dismissal Over Police Delay

ByTitilope Adako

PublishedJune 25, 2025

A Federal High Court in Abuja has threatened to dismiss the treason case filed against 11 Nigerian youths over their participation in the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protest, citing delays by the police.

Justice Emeka Nwite issued the warning on Tuesday after proceedings were stalled yet again.

The new prosecutor, Ibrahim Muhammed, asked for an adjournment, saying he had just taken over the case following the compulsory retirement of the previous counsel, Simon Lough (SAN).

“I called my office because it was the senior advocate, Simon Lough, that was prosecuting this case. This court and every other person here know the circumstances of what happened to him. Therefore, I am taking over from him. My Lord, I humbly beg this honourable court for a date to familiarise myself with the file,” Muhammed said.

Deji Adeyanju, representing the 9th, 10th, and 11th defendants, opposed the adjournment.

He noted that the year-long case had imposed severe financial strain on the defendants, many of whom travel long distances for the trial.

He urged the court to dismiss the case under Section 351(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) due to lack of diligent prosecution.

Abubakar Marshal, representing the 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th defendants, also called for dismissal under Section 353(1) of the ACJA. He described the charges as “vague and lifeless,” and told the court that some defendants had sold family land, taken loans, and even gone hungry just to attend court.

He prayed the court to award ₦500,000 in costs to each defendant.

Other defence lawyers aligned with Adeyanju and Marshal, all insisting that the police had failed to prosecute the matter properly.

Justice Nwite acknowledged the repeated delays, noting that the last two adjournments were caused by the court itself.

However, he warned the prosecution to be ready on the next date or risk having the case struck out and the defendants discharged.

The case was adjourned to August 9, 2025.

The accused are: Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye (aka Lenin), Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi (aka Yomi), Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simon (aka Bob-Simon), Angel Love Innocent (aka Loveth), Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello (aka Murtala), Nuradeen Khamis, Abdulsalam Zubairu, and Daniel Akande.

Titilope Adako

Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.