…NHRC writes NBA, seeks help to free detained protesters

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA— FOLLOWING the failure of the Federal Government to arraign #endbadgovernace protesters since August 1, 2024, Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, yesterday, berated the action of the Federal Government and Police and called on President Bola Tinubu to release them unconditionally.

Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has written the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, seeking help to secure the release of over 1,000 detained #EndBadGovernance protesters across the country.

The police failed to arraign the protesters on Monday and Tuesday, despite fixing those days for arraignment, as the protesters have continued to languish in custody for more than two weeks, without access to their lawyers.

We might protest over delayed arraignment of protesters —OLF

President and Founder, One Love Foundation, OLF, Chief Patrick Eholor, yesterday, reacting to the development, said: “No suspect is to be detained more than 24 hours. It is sad that President Tinubu, who is one of the champions of democracy, who fought along side National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, has been the one that has derailed, bastardised and destroyed the fabrics of democracy.

“If the protesters are not released unconditionally, I and my foundation will write Amnesty International, National Human Rights Commission, and we might protest at the court house or United Nations in Abuja or embassies in Abuja.

“These people barely fought for the soul of the nation and their families, and the President is insensitive to them, even the military didn’t treat us like this.”

Tinubu should allow rule of law takes its course — ActionAid

On his part, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, AAN, Andrew Mamedu, said: “Failure to arraign protesters is a breach of their fundamental human rights and ActionAid Nigeria frowns at that because justice delayed is justice denied.

“We always advocate due process and rule of law. So for rule of law, what does it take government to arraign them? They don’t have enough evidence or what it takes? So, they should let them go.
“They are innocent until proven guilty. Delaying them is tantamount to injustice, and we don’t encourage that no matter who the person is.

“The President should allow the rule of law takes its course and the President should know that protesting is not tantamount to breaking the law because our laws are very clear, citizens should be allowed to protest.

“Of course, if you say people were carrying foreign flags but we all know it is not about carrying flags to protest but trying to cook up offences against them, we are totally against it and the President should know and uphold that.”

Tinubu’s reputation at stake — CISLAC

Executive Director, CISLAC, Auwal Rafsanjani, said: “When you are trying to correct something and you are doing something wrong, then you don’t have the moral superiority to that.

“The police should tell us why they have kept people in custody as many of them were not even at the protest ground or doing anything criminal but you decided to punish everybody and there is an inherent danger on that.

“Another issue is there is a financial benefit some people having in the name of feeding the protesters because of the financial gain by those who are keeping protesters in custody in terms of feeding contract. Also this delayed arraignment is creating situation for people to revolt.\

“What police is doing is that they are demarketing and destroying Tinubu, and making him unpopular, they are not helping him and are making to look like the greatest human rights violator, and we call on Tinubu to send away those who are destroying his reputation and ensure they stop it, if he is not the one instructing them to do that.”

It portrays govt as insensitive to rule of law—ANEEJ

Also, Executive Director, African Network for Environmental and Economic Justice, ANEEJ, Rev David Ugolor, said: “This is unacceptable and portrays the government as insensitive to the rule of law.
“I hope the Tinubu government will find a way to address the issues raised in the no to bad governance and corruption.

“The issue of hunger is real and many people are suffering and the only way to draw the attention of government is through peaceful protest.

“The government should provide opportunity for dialogue and show respect to the people. Keeping people in prison will not solve the problem.”

NHRC writes NBA, seeks help to free detained protesters

NHRC in a letter by its Executive Director, Dr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, to the NBA President, said: “The NHRC writes to express deep concern regarding the reported alleged detention of over 1,000 Nigerians following protests against worsening living conditions during the #Endbadgovernance protest.

“As a body committed to protecting the rights and freedoms of all Nigerians, we find it alarming that peaceful demonstrators are being detained and their rights infringed upon. The right to peaceful assembly and expression is guaranteed under our constitution and various international human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.

“We recognise the pivotal role the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, plays in upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is not denied to the vulnerable in our society. It is in this context that we seek your urgent intervention to ensure that those detained are granted their legal rights, including access to legal representation, prompt and fair trials, or immediate release where no lawful grounds exist for their continued detention.

“The NHRC urges the NBA to take steps in this matter, including mobilizing legal support to secure the release of those unlawfully detained across the country by visiting all police commands in all the states to attend to people detained.

“Collaborating with relevant authorities to ensure that due process is followed and that any violations of human rights are addressed swiftly.”

“Engaging in advocacy and public awareness to prevent future occurrences of unlawful arrests and detentions during peaceful protests.

“We are confident that with the NBA’s intervention, the rights affected will be protected, and measures will be taken to prevent further violations.”