Human rights lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has called on the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to dismiss the treason charges brought against 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters by the Federal Government.
In a letter delivered to the AGF’s office on Tuesday, Olajengbesi condemned the criminalization of young Nigerians who protested against hunger and poor governance in August. He argued that prosecuting these demonstrators is a violation of the rule of law.
Olajengbesi highlighted that the right to peaceful assembly and protest is fundamental in any democratic society, as enshrined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and protected by international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.
“To criminalize citizens for exercising their legitimate right to dissent through peaceful protest not only breaches these legal protections but also damages Nigeria’s reputation on the global stage,” Olajengbesi stated.
He criticized the government’s approach as counterproductive and detrimental to the principles of democracy and free expression. Olajengbesi urged Fagbemi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, to safeguard the rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression.
“It is crucial that we prevent the normalization of criminalizing lawful dissent, as it undermines the democratic foundation of our society,” Olajengbesi continued. He warned that governments that adopt such repressive measures risk losing their legitimacy both domestically and internationally.
Expressing confidence in Fagbemi’s commitment to justice and the rule of law, Olajengbesi appealed for the immediate withdrawal of all charges against the protesters and their release. He emphasized the importance of upholding the rule of law and avoiding punitive actions against individuals exercising their constitutional rights.
Reports indicate that some of the #EndBadGovernance protesters have been remanded at Kuje Correctional Centre after being charged with treason. Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered their detention pending a hearing on their bail application, scheduled for September 11, 2024. The protesters have pleaded not guilty to the six-count terrorism-related charge filed against them by the Federal Government.
