FG frees 6 #EndBadGovernance protesters, to arraign 3

  

File: People protest against hardship on the street of Lagos, Nigeria, Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024. Thousands of mostly young people poured onto the streets across Nigeria on Thursday as they protested against the country’s worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation. Security forces fired tear gas to disperse some of the protesters in the capital, Abuja. (AP Photo/Sunday Alamba)

•Lawyers blast FG’s ‘repressive’ tactics against #EndBadGovernance protesters

•Govt’s silence over protesters’ demand ill-advised —Nnimmo Bassey

By Soni Daniel, Luminous Jannamike & Gabriel Ewepu

The Federal Government, weekend, released six #EndBadGovernance protesters out of the over 1,403 arrested and detained nationwide.

Recall that a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, had, recently, granted an impossible bail of N10 million each to 10 of the protesters arraigned before the court on treason-related charges.

The protests, which began on August 1, 2024, were sparked by the worsening economic crisis, hunger and demands for good governance. However, security agencies had used excessive force, leading to casualties and arrests.

This came as some lawyers criticised the Federal Government’s ‘repressive’ tactics against demonstrators in response to the #EndBadGovernance protests.

They argued that charges of treasonable felony and sedition against protesters were unfounded and aimed at intimidating citizens.

Also, Executive Director, Health of Mother Earth Foundation, HOMEF, Nnimmo Bassey, weekend, expressed concern on the silence of the Federal Government over the demands of the #EndBadGovernance protesters.

According to competent security sources, the six persons were freed, last Thursday, in Kaduna State, on the orders of the Director General of the Department of State Service, DSS, Adeola Ajayi.

The DSS also said that three of the protesters would be arraigned in court.

“The top source, yesterday, told Vanguard: “The DG DSS is not interested in the incarceration of innocent citizens for expressing their constitutional rights, but is also not going to allow criminal elements take laws into their hands.

“There is incontrovertible evidence to press criminal charges against the three persons that are being held because we have a prima facie evidence against them.

“The DG DSS reiterates citizen’s right to peaceful protest as enshrined in the constitution and regard for the rule of law.

“However, he is resolute on upholding the mandate of the service to decisively investigate and bring to justice those who exploit such rights to perpetrate crime,” the source added.

Lawyers blast FG’s ‘repressive’ tactics against #EndBadGovernance protesters

The lawyers warned that the government’s actions may fuel further unrest, highlighting deep-seated grievances about corruption, insecurity, and economic mismanagement.

An Abuja based lawyer, Mr. Patrick Etim, said: “The government is sending a message that Nigerians should be aware of tougher times ahead. It plans to become more repressive and is now charging the #EndBadGovernance protesters with treasonable felony and sedition to deter potential future protests.

“This strong message is being sent because the #EndBadGovernance protests were not organized by labor or civil society groups; instead, they were a spontaneous movement embraced by citizens to express their anger.

“The government’s harsh response indicates that similar spontaneous protests could become more violent in the future.”

Another lawyer, Emmanuel Itodo, said: “Is there any video or photographic evidence showing that those arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests plotted to overthrow the state?

“The charges of terrorism or terrorism financing are so serious that the government should provide evidence that they took up arms against the state. In the absence of such evidence, they should be released unconditionally. Everything must be based on evidence or hard facts.”

Govt’s silence over protesters’ demand ill advised —Bassey

Bassey in an interview with Vanguard, said: “Government’s silence is an ill advised strategy. This not too late to respond and act now. The weight on the people is excruciatingly high.

“The demands were simple. The basic job of government is the create an atmosphere in which citizens have the minimum required to meet basic human needs.

“Notice has been given about October 1, protests. It will be another opportunity for government to show of it is capable of listening and hearing.

“Subterfuge, counter mobilizations and other such shenanigans are totally uncalled for and should be avoided.

“Protest is a human right and national Independence Day is a good day to see if we are truly independent.

“Nigerians are extremely tolerant. They bear hardship as though it is a badge of honour. What other pains must they bear before they shout?

 What is the government expecting when cost of living has gone through the roof? A litre of petrol costs N1,400 at Uyo, while it is N1,900 at Eket in an oil producing state of Akwa-Ibom, and more elsewhere. And people need foreign instigation to protest? Tell me something else. If there is a protest the mastermind is the government.”