Abuja: Nigerian Government Arraigns #EndBadGovernance Protesters on Treason Charges

A Federal High Court in Abuja has arraigned 10 protesters arrested in various locations across Nigeria, including Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe, on charges of treasonable felony. The protesters, who pleaded not guilty to the six counts filed against them, were brought to court amidst tight security.

The defendants, aged between 21 and 51, are accused of demanding good governance during a protest tagged #EndBadGovernance. Their lawyers, including Abubakar Marshal, Hamza, Deji Adeyanju, and Ahmed Abdulrahaman, appeared on their behalf.

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The case has sparked concerns about the Nigerian government’s handling of protests and the rights of citizens to demand accountability and good governance. The defendants’ pleas of not guilty have been recorded, and the case will proceed to trial.

Defendants:

1. Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye (aka Lenin), 28
2. Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi (aka Yomi), 34
3. Suleiman Yakubu, 28
4. Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, 50
5. Angel Love Innocent, 51
6. Buhari Lawal, 21
7. Mosiu Sadiq, 28
8. Bashir Bello (aka Murtala), 51
9. Nuradeen Khamis, 47
10. Abdulsalam Zubairu, 37

The case will proceed to trial, with the prosecution presenting its evidence and witnesses. The defendants’ lawyers will also present their defense. The outcome of the trial will determine the fate of the accused protesters.

Meanwhile human rights organization, Amnesty International, has outrightly condemned the treason charges against hunger protesters by President Bola Tinubu’s government as a desperate move to manipulate the criminal justice system to punish critics.

“Some of the charges to be filed against the protesters, ranging from treason, which carries the death penalty, to allegations of a ‘plan to destabilize Nigeria,’ show how far Nigerian authorities can go in manipulating the criminal justice system to silence critical voices. These are blatantly trumped-up charges that must be immediately withdrawn.”