A Magistrate Court in Lafia has revised the stringent bail conditions imposed on 38 persons who were arrested for protesting against the Supreme Court judgement on the Nasarawa State governorship election.
The protesters were brought before the court by the police on charges bordering on conspiracy, unlawful assembly and disturbance by fire.
The decision to review the bail conditions was made on Wednesday by Magistrate Mohammed Abdullahi-Lanze, who presided over the case.
The move came after the court entertained an application filed by the legal representatives of the defendants.
Magistrate Abdullahi-Lanze stated that the initial requirement, demanding the surety to be a Director with the State or Federal Government and submit a bond of N2 million, was reconsidered in light of the defense counsels’ application.
The new bail conditions now stipulate a reasonable surety residing within the court’s jurisdiction for each defendant, who must submit their passport along with a bail bond of N500,000.
The Magistrate insisted that all the defendants must be present in court on the next adjournment date, February 27, 2024.
Barrister Ayiwulu Baba-Ayiwulu, the counsel for the defendants, in response to the ruling, expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
Ayiwulu informed journalists that the revised bail conditions are now more reasonable, providing optimism that the protesters would soon reunite with their families.
He further noted that the defendants could be released from the Lafia Custodial Centre before the end of the day, as several individuals are willing to act as sureties in compliance with the adjusted conditions.
The protesters were arrested on January 19, 2024, following a demonstration that led to the blockage of Lafia/Jos road.
The protest was in response to the Supreme Court judgment affirming the victory of Governor Abdullahi Sule in Nasarawa State.
Reprieve for 38 Nasarawa protesters as court revises stringent bail conditions
