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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
In a recent development at the magistrate court in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, bail has been granted to 29 out of the 30 protesting women who were previously sent to a custodial center following their demonstration against the announcement of the Supreme Court’s Judgement affirming the election of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Speaking to journalist on Wednesday imediately after the rulling, defense Counsel, Barrister Ayiwulu Baba Ayiwulu elucidated on the revised bail conditions, expressing contentment with the court’s decision.
“The court has granted them bail with a new bail condition which is fair and will be released today to join their family members.”
The previous bail condition, which necessitated the production of a director and a bail bond of 2 million naira in the event of bail violation, has been altered. Ayiwulu highlighted.
“The court, in its wisdom, has reverted back to a surety located in premises close to the court with a bail bond of 500, thousand naira.”
He further emphasized that all the remanded women possess traceable addresses and have family members prepared to secure their release. “They are peasant farmers, widows who are fending for themselves,” Ayiwulu added.
However, he expressed dismay over the clandestine grant of bail to one of the protestors allegedly due to connections with a prominent government figure.
“It was surprising that one of the protestors was secretly granted bail because she is connected to one big man in government and wonders why such was done noting that as a lawyer, they are only defending the remaining 29 not 30.”
However, a legal practitioner Yushau Yusuf at the court premises, however, said it ought to have unconditional because of the circumstances of their arrest and that the crime, if any, was committed before the arrival of the police.
