Ten protesters involved in the #EndBadGovernance movement have been remanded in custody by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
On Monday, Justice Emeka Nwite ordered the remand of nine male protesters in Kuje Prison, while a female protester was placed in Suleja Prison.
This decision came after the protesters were arraigned on multiple charges related to their involvement in recent protests against bad governance.
The court has scheduled September 11 for the trial and a ruling on the protesters’ bail applications.
The charges against them included treason, conspiracy to commit felony, and incitement to mutiny.
These allegations are linked to accusations that the protesters intended to destabilize Nigeria, levy war against the state, and incite violence against police officers and government buildings.
The ten individuals charged are Michael Adaramoye, known as Lenin, Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaoluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nuradeen Khamis, and Abdulsalam Zubairu. All ten defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which erupted in August 2024, were driven by widespread frustration over economic hardship, corruption, and poor governance.
The protesters demanded better living conditions and more accountability from the government.
The movement gained significant traction, leading to several demonstrations across the country.
During these protests, some clashes with security forces occurred, resulting in several arrests.
The government has since intensified its response to the protests, with many demonstrators facing severe legal consequences.
Meanwhile, Amnesty International Nigeria has strongly condemned the charges and the ongoing trial of the protesters.
In a statement released on social media, the organization described the trial as a “sham” and accused the Nigerian government of using the criminal justice system to silence dissenting voices.
Amnesty International’s statement reads: “The unfair trial is only a disguised exercise solely aimed at punishing dissenters.
“Some of the charges, such as treason—which carries the death penalty—show how far the Nigerian authorities can go in manipulating the criminal justice system to silence critical voices.”
The organization also criticized the government for not addressing the violence against protesters in various states, including Kano, Katsina, Suleja/Tafa, Jigawa, and Maiduguri. Amnesty International called for an impartial investigation into these incidents rather than focusing on prosecuting protesters.
The Federal Government has defended its actions, stating that the legal proceedings against the protesters are necessary to maintain national security and public order.
The government has accused the protesters of using demonstrations as a cover to incite violence and disrupt the country’s stability.
Despite the government’s stance, the charges against the protesters have raised concerns about the potential suppression of free speech and the right to peaceful protest.
Human rights advocates argue that the severity of the charges is disproportionate and serves as a means to intimidate and silence critics.
