Police arraign anti-Buhari protester in court for climbing mast in Abuja
Police have arraigned Ilyasu Lawal in court for climbing a mast in protest against President Buhari’s administration over a week ago.
Ilyasu had said at the time, after he was cajoled to descend the mast, that he didn’t breach any law with his “peaceful protest”.
The 28-year-old was arraigned alongside two others – Nura Iliyasu, 29, and Idris Suleiman, 28 – before the Magistrates’ Court in Wuse, Zone 2, FCT for attempting to commit suicide and cause unrest in the society.
The suspects were also accused of trespassing the premises of the Presidential Villa.
Prosecuting counsel, Augustine Urom told the court on Wednesday, how Ilyasu, on September 12, climbed a mast within the presidential villa to commit suicide, while the others watched.
Urom further claimed that Ilyasu and other defendants invaded the Aso Rock Villa with various placards capable of making the public to revolt against the FG.
He said the First Information Report alleged that the display of the defendants was capable of igniting uprising against a Constituted authority and was punishable under law.
Ilyasu and his co-defendants pleaded not guilty to the five-count charges of joint act, criminal trespass, inciting disturbance, disturbance of public peace and attempt to commit suicide levelled against them.
The Magistrate, Muhammad Abdulmumini, granted them bail in the sum of N250,000 and a surety respectively. The case was adjourned until October 16 for hearing.
