Abuja Court Adjourns Treason Trial of #EndBadGovernance Protesters Until October

The Press earlier reported that the activists - Adaramoye Michael Lenin, Daniel Akande, Mosiu Sodeeq, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, Angel Love Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Bashir Bello, Nuradeen Khamis and Abdulsalam Zubairu - appeared before the court on Wednesday morning.

They were arrested in 2024 and charged with treason, among other crimes, for their involvement in the nationwide protest held in the first 10 days of August.

Sharing an update with The Press hours after the court session, Lenin said, "Finally, our presiding judge was seated today, after being absent three times previously."

He said the police force, the prosecutor, came with a new prosecuting counsel because the former counsel was "embroiled in a corruption issue and has been dismissed".

Lenin also explained that the case could be struck out if the prosecutor further delays the trial.

"The new prosecutor requested more time to familiarise himself with the details of the issues. Our lawyers, led by Barrister Deji Adeyanju and Barrister Marshall, vehemently opposed this request. Whatever familiarisation he needed to do, he had ample time to have done that," Lenin said.

"Our lawyers, rightly, accused the state of deliberate time-wasting and irresponsibility and asked for the case to be struck out. However, the judge conceded to the prosecutor's request for the trial to be adjourned, but on the condition that the case would be struck out if the prosecutor further delays the trial. The court eventually agreed on October 9, 2025.

"Barrister Ibrahim, the new prosecutor, boasted that the state has overwhelming evidence against us, as well as enough witnesses. He openly called us criminals who have committed crimes against the state and must be punished.

"He rudely said that any of us who were not comfortable with bearing the cost of attending the court cases should be sent back to prison to 'enjoy' free transportation."

For Lenin, this renewed interest of the state in the treason trial shows that the attacks on democratic rights under the current administration are far from over.

Lenin added, "The state has reminded us that we must spare no effort in fighting for our democratic rights."