PROTESTERS TRIAL: Amnesty International accuses Tinubu govt of mocking rule of law

The Amnesty International Nigeria has expressed concerns over the scheduled mass trial of detained #EndBadGovernance protesters in the country on Monday.

An online newspaper (not The DEFENDER) had earlier on Sunday reported that the mass trial of #EndBadGovernance protesters had been scheduled to commence on Monday September 2, 2024 in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Borno courts.

It was learnt that those detained over the #EndBadGovernance protests in Abuja would be tried in Justice Emeka Nwite’s court.

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) will be leading a team of lawyers to defend the protesters.

Amnesty International Nigeria had said that over 2,000 protesters were arrested across the country during the 10-day protests against hunger and misgovernance tagged #EndBadGovernance.

It demanded the unconditional release of those arrested, insisting that instead, President Bola Tinubu’s government should begin to address the issues that led to the protests in the first place.

Specifically, Amnesty International said out of the 2,111 suspects arrested across the country, 1,403 had been arraigned in various courts.

It lamented that the suspects were ordered to be remanded in prison custody due to a lack of legal representation.

Last Sunday, SaharaReporters reported that Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had granted the police’s request to remand 124 protesters in custody for 60 days, pending the completion of investigations.

Reacting to the planned mass trial of hundreds of protesters arrested during the nationwide #EndBadGovrnance protests between 1–10 August, Isa Sanusi Director Amnesty International Nigeria said: “Amnesty International is deeply concerned that the #EndBadGovernaceInNigeria protesters to be arraigned nationwide tomorrow are only going to be subjected to another round of government’s unrelenting intent to punish protesters and demonize protests.

“We condemn the sham trials even before they began and call for an end to these endless bizarre attempts to deprive people of the right to peaceful protest.

“What is going to happen to these protesters — who took to the streets last month — seeking good governance is a disguised exercise solely aimed at punishing dissenters.”

The organisation called on Nigerian authorities to “immediately and unconditionally release all those arrested from 1-10 August for exercising their right to peaceful assembly, instead of resorting to putting them through trumped-up charges just to justify unlawfully detaining them”.

It continued, “The Nigerian government has been wrongfully placing priority on punishing protesters, without saying even a word on the urgent need to investigate the killing of dozens of protesters across Kano, Katsina, Suleja/Tafa, Jigawa and Maiduguri.

“Many protesters were subjected to horrific violations by security personnel, including excessive use of force and misuse of tear gas.

“Since the arrests of the protesters Amnesty International has been receiving disturbing reports of violation of the rights of those detained through denial of access family, legal assistance and medical care where needed.

“That dozens of minors are among those detained and possibly to face trial tomorrow is a travesty of justice.

“We urge the Nigerian authorities to end this mockery of the rule of law. The authorities have an obligation to uphold and protect fundamental human rights.

“Instead of investing in desperate attempts to rush dissent, the government should listen to critics, address rampant insecurity, corruption and mismanagement.”

“Giving more attention to rescuing millions of Nigerians from the brink of starvation should be the top priority of government, not punishing protesters,” it added.