Human Rights lawyer Femi Falana has claimed that the security agencies in the country are currently holding not less than 2,111 protesters who were arrested in connection with the 10-day #Endbadgovernance action across the country. He made the strangest during a statement which had given the government an ultimatum.
Recall that the country’s citizens took to the streets on the first of August for ten days in protest against bad leadership and the high cost of living occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidies and inflation.
He also noted that 1,403 arrested persons have been taken to various courts in the country. After their arraignment, the lawyer stated that the suspects had been ordered to be remanded in different correctional centres in the country, which was done due to a lack of legal representation. However, the Nigerian Bar Association NBA had pledged to offer a legal presentation to defend the protesters.
In the statement, the human rights lawyer titled ‘HALT THE CLAMPDOWN ON PROTESTERS’, Falana claimed that the arrested persons, seven students from Poland who were undergoing an exchange programme in the country, were arrested. He noted that the students were taking pictures of the activities of the protesters; he further claimed that the government may use the foreign students to depict international sponsorship of the protest. The individuals are students at Bayero University, Kano.
He further cautioned the government against taking the arrested individuals to court without proper notification. He noted that the individuals must be notified to enable proper notification of the NBA and their family members, who will process adequate defence in court.
The figures he released on the number of affected persons include 15 states plus the FCT; by numbers, the breakdown shows that Kano has 873 arrested, Jigawa 403, Katsina 120, and Gombe 111. Sokoto 110, Borno 99, Yobe 90 Bauchi 60, Plateau 51, Kaduna 50 FCT 50, Nasarawa 40, Niger 25, Zamfara 19, Cross Rivers 10. The majority of the arrests occurred in the northern part, where the protest had taken a violent turn.
Falana further alleged that some individual lawyers had applied for the bail of some of the suspects, but they were arraigned in court without the lawyers’ notice.
He noted that the refusal of proper legal representation for the suspected individuals constitutes a human rights abuse of fair hearing, which is guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution under section 36 and article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.
He further condemned the act, stating that it was illegal and discriminatory. He explained that individuals who have been accused of corruption are being informed for several days before being taken to court. He also listed other privileges enjoined by the individuals, such as the opportunity to travel abroad and liberal bail terms.
While speaking on the suspects flying the Russian colours, Falana noted that the practice has been seen by many churches and hotels in the country. He explained that most hotels have been seen displaying the flag of different European countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany. He also stated that churches have been seen displaying the flag of Israel.
He explained that the 783 persons arrested for the act, including the tailor, cannot be charged because the practice has been seen before in the country.
