EndBadGovernance Protest Case: FG Pushing For Death Penalty – AI Says
Amnesty International (AI), has condemned in strong terms the treason charges against protesters of #EndBadGovernance and Hunger by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government, saying that it is a desperate move to manipulate the criminal justice system to punish critics.
This is even as critics and human rights organisations have expressed their disgust at the repressive behaviour of the Tinubu-led government, stressing that the development is most unfortunate and deeply disturbing.
In the same vein, Amnesty International stressed that the attempts by President Tinubu’s government to charge those who protested widespread poverty, hunger and rampant corruption with treason are beyond absurd and baseless.
These followed a legal action instituted by the Federal Government which showed that the Tinubu-led administration is pushing for death penalty for the 10 protesters of the August #EndBadGovernance and hunger protest.
Amnesty International specifically castigated Tinubu’s government for targeting citizens who protested against endemic poverty and corruption with baseless charges.
A statement issued on Monday, the international human rights organization, noted that some of the charges filed against the protesters, ranged from treason, which carries the death penalty, to allegations of ‘plans to destabilise Nigeria,’ stressing that it clearly showed how far the Nigerian authorities can go in manipulating the criminal justice system to silence critical voices.
The statement further stated; “The Nigerian government (led by Tinubu) has wrongfully prioritised punishing protesters without addressing the urgent need to impartially investigate the killing of dozens of protesters across Kano, Katsina, Suleja/Tafa, Jigawa, and Maiduguri.
“This comes as Tinubu’s administration has charged 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters with treason, a crime punishable by death under Nigerian law.
“A six-count charge court document filed with number FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024 by Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun shows that Tinubu’s government has accused the protesters of felony and treason.
“The first count in the document accuses the 10 protesters of acting in concert and with intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspired together to commit felony to wit: Treason, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code.
“Other charges include public disturbance, plotting to overthrow the Tinubu-led government, and destabilising the country,” AI said.
The international human rights organization noted that the development followed about three weeks after citizen-led nationwide protests over economic hardship under President Tinubu’s government.
Amnesty International noted that the 10-day protests saw Nigerian security operatives unleash violence on protesters, killing at least 23 and arresting hundreds, adding that the Nigeria police denied killing any of the protesters despite footage showing them firing live rounds at protesters.
It said the arrested protesters include: Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Eleojo Simon, Angel Love Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nuradeen Khamis and Abdulsalam Zubairu.
Amnesty International also said that since the end of the nationwide protests against widespread hardship and insecurity in the country on August 10, 2024, a crackdown on those who participated in the public protests by security agencies has been the order of the day.
It further said hundreds of people have been arrested, including minors, for their alleged involvement in the protest, saying that many of the arrested persons are being detained without any arraignment.
