Human rights advocate, Femi Falana (SAN) disclosed that a total of 2,111 individuals were apprehended during the 10-day nationwide #EndBadGoveranceInNigeria protests, which took place from August 1 to 10. The protests were a response to the economic hardships faced by Nigerians.
Despite the constitutional guarantee of the fundamental right to protest, security operatives launched a crackdown on protesters in various states. Falana provided a breakdown of the arrested protesters, stating that 873 were apprehended in Kano, 403 in Jigawa, 120 in Katsina, 111 in Gombe, 110 in Sokoto, and 99 in Borno, among others.
Falana expressed concern that, notwithstanding the official recognition of the right to protest, security forces continued to suppress protesters in many states. He noted that, out of the 2,111 arrested individuals, 1,403 have been arraigned in various courts and remanded in prison custody due to a lack of legal representation.
Falana criticized the authorities for denying the suspects legal representation, despite the Nigerian Bar Association’s offer to provide lawyers for their defense. He also pointed out that individual lawyers who applied for bail on behalf of the detained suspects were not informed of the arraignment dates.
Falana argued that the denial of legal representation violates the suspects’ fundamental right to a fair hearing, as guaranteed by Section 36 of the Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act. He contrasted this treatment with the preferential treatment afforded to politically exposed persons accused of corruption, who often receive advance notice of arraignment dates and are granted bail on liberal terms.
Falana also raised concerns that security agencies have exploited the protests to target radical citizens, highlighting the need for vigilance in protecting democratic processes.
