An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court at Wuse zone 2, on Monday, remanded the convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Mr. Omoleye Sowore and four others at the Kuje Correctional Center.
Sowore, who was the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, in the last general election and publisher of an online news outlet, Sahara Reporters, was remanded alongside four others- Juwon Sanyaolu, Damilare Adenola, Peter, and Kimrere- who were also arrested on New Year Eve for leading a protest against bad Government In the country, Vanguard reports.
The FCT, Police Command had in the First Information Report it entered before the court, which contained three-count charge, alleged that the Defendants were arrested with placards that called for a violent revolution against President Muhammadu Buhari.
Meanwhile, the Defendants took turns and pleaded not guilty to the charge against them which bordered on criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, and alleged attempt to incite a public disturbance.
Shortly after the Defendants entered their plea, Police lawyer, DCP James Idachaba, told the court that Police would need more time to conclude its ongoing investigations.
He, therefore, requested for the Defendants to be remanded in prison custody until the conclusion of the investigation.
His application was opposed by the defence lawyer, Mr. Marshall Abubakar, who is from the Chambers of Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, who made an oral application for the release of the Defendants on bail pending their trial.
Marshal argued that the charge against the Defendants. obtained bailable offences.
However, in a short ruling, Magistrate Mabel Shegun-Bello directed the Defendants to file a formal bail application.
She subsequently adjourned the matter till Tuesday to hear the Defendants’ motions for bail.
The initial decision of the Magistrate court to remand the Defendants at the Wuse Police station was shelved after the DPO of the station could not be reached on phone.
The court directed that the Defendants should be kept at the Kuje Correctional Center, pending the determination of their bail request.
It further directed that they should be granted the facility to prepare for their case.