Two months after nationwide protests, lawyers and civil society organizations are criticizing the ongoing detention of #EndBadGovernance protesters. Despite some minors being released on bail, many remain incarcerated in police facilities, DSS custody, or prisons across Nigeria.
By Soni Daniel, Northern Region Editor, Henry Ojelu, Wole Mosadomi, Ikechukwu Nnochiri, Bashir Bello, Umar Yusuf, Marie-Therese, Ndahi Marama, Peter Duru, Aliyu Haruna, Mohammed Abubakar, Musa Ubandawaki, Salisu Idris, Femi Bolaji, Ibrahim Hasan-Wuyo, Abel Daniel, Luminous Jannamike, Boluwaji Obahopo & Gabriel EwepuLawyers and civil society organisations, CSOs, yesterday, decried the continued detention and incarceration of #EndBadGovernance protesters two months after the August 1-10...
In Borno, 97 protesters were arrested during the protest but their condition remains unclear at the time of this report. There were, however, no arrests in Benue, Taraba, Kebbi, Adamawa, Kwara and Kogi states, as many of the states adopted some strategies to prevent their citizens from joining the protests.Worried by the incarceration of the protesters, a senior lawyer, Mr. Dayo Akinlaja, SAN, urged the Federal Government to withdraw charges preferred against the detained protesters as part of measures to celebrate Nigeria’s 64th independence anniversary.
“This is simply because it is open to government to arraign persons suspected to have committed one offence or the other in court. It is in the place of the court to decide whether or not such persons are guilty of the offences alleged. Here is a situation where the government has arraigned the persons on alleged criminal charges.
“This is what the government may want to bear in mind, going forward. It is my honest conviction that the government will score a huge political milestone by discontinuing the prosecution, especially in deference to the independence anniversary celebrations on hand.”Another lawyer, Mr.
‘’The Civil liberties group should take this up with the government. I am sure government will order their release. The press is also crucial in this call for the release of those detained. We should keep appealing to government to release them unconditionally.To Alternate Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Citizens’ Liberties Committee, Malachy Ugwummadu, ‘’there is no gainsaying the fact that one of the critical signposts of democracy is under siege in this country.
Director of Programmes, Yiaga Africa, Cynthia Mbamalu, said: “According to the Constitution, Nigeria shall be a state based on the principles of democracy and social justice. Being a democracy, the Constitution further guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, right to protest, as a fundamental human right.
“Commitment to democracy should go beyond words from the President and government to actions that truly showcase the commitment to build our democracy.
Protests Detention #Endbadgovernance Human Rights Nigeria
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
CSOs petition NHRC, demand release of detained #EndBadGovernance protestersSome CSOs have petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the arrest and detention of some EndBadGovernance protesters.
Read more »
67 CSOs condemn Tinubu govt’s human rights violations, crackdown on dissents“The actions taken by the government in recent weeks have raised serious concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in our nation,” the coalition said.
Read more »
Edo: CSOs condemn political parties’ violence ahead guber electionThe Edo Civil Society Organisations, EDOSCO, a coalition of civil societies in the state, has condemned the spate of political violence ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
Read more »
EndBadGovernance protest: Court issues arrest warrant against British Wynne, 2 othersA Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday issued a warrant of arrest against a British citizen, Andrew Wynne, and other Nigerians over allegations bordering on treason and terrorism. Justice Emeka Nwite granted the order in an ex parte motion filed by Audu Garba on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police.
Read more »
#EndBadGovernance: Court orders arrest of Briton, two NigeriansThe police declared the Briton wanted on Monday, the same day they arraigned 10 EndBadGovernance protesters accused of working with him to topple President Bola Tinubu’s administration and plotting to levy a war against Nigeria.
Read more »
EndBadGovernance: Court refuses to vacate restriction order against protestersThe Federal Capital Terrritory High Court has declined to vacate an order which restricted the anti- hunger protesters in the FCT to the National Stadium for the purpose of staging protests.
Read more »