Recent development related to the #EndBadGovernance protests that took place nationwide from August 1st to 10th, a total of 2,111 individuals have been detained by authorities. Out of these, 1,403 have been brought before various courts but are currently being held in prison due to the lack of legal representation.
This situation has drawn criticism from human rights advocates, who highlight the denial of legal aid to the detained protesters despite the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) offering to provide lawyers for their defense.
Femi Falana (SAN), a prominent human rights lawyer and the Chair of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB), has condemned the government’s actions in a statement entitled “HALT THE CLAMPDOWN ON PROTESTERS.” Falana criticized the authorities for not notifying the detainees or their lawyers about their court dates, which he argues violates their constitutional rights to a fair trial. He also noted that seven Polish students involved in an exchange program at Bayero University, Kano, were arrested for taking photos during the protest and could potentially face espionage charges, suggesting a motive to portray the protests as foreign-instigated.
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A breakdown of arrests by region reveals the following figures:
- Kano: 873
- Jigawa: 403
- Katsina: 120
- Gombe: 111
- Sokoto: 110
- Borno: 99
- Yobe: 90
- Bauchi: 60
- Plateau: 51
- Kaduna: 50
- Federal Capital Territory (FCT): 50
- Nasarawa: 40
- Niger: 25
- Zamfara: 19
- Cross Rivers: 10
Falana also compared the treatment of these protesters with that of high-profile individuals accused of financial crimes, who are often granted bail and even allowed to travel abroad for medical reasons. He pointed out that the disparity in treatment underscores a broader issue of selective justice and inequity in the legal system.
Moreover, Falana criticized the authorities for the arbitrary nature of the arrests and the lack of transparency in the legal process. He emphasized that the arrests and the subsequent denial of legal representation breach fundamental rights guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights standards.
The controversy surrounding the handling of these protests continues to highlight ongoing issues of governance and human rights in Nigeria. The situation remains fluid, with many calling for immediate reforms to ensure fair treatment and due process for all detainees.
