#EndBadGovernance: Tinubu’s Govt Arraigns Protesters Over Alleged Treason

On Monday, the administration led by President Bola Tinubu brought 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court on charges of treason, a crime that could result in the death penalty under Nigerian law.

The individuals in question—Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Eleojo Simon, Angel Love Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nuradeen Khamis, and Abdulsalam Zubairu—were all present in court, as learned by PulseNets.

PulseNets reported that the Tinubu-led administration accused the protesters of felony and treason in a six-count charge, filed as case number FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024 by Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

The first charge, seen by PulseNets, alleges that the protesters acted “in concert and with intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspired together to commit felony to wit: Treason,” an offense under section 96 and punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code.

Other charges reported include causing public disturbance and plotting to overthrow the Tinubu government, thereby destabilising the nation.

This development follows citizen-led protests across the country about three weeks ago, in response to the economic difficulties under Mr. Tinubu’s leadership. The 10-day protests were marked by violence from Nigerian security forces, with at least 23 demonstrators killed and hundreds arrested, according to Amnesty International, as PulseNets learned.

Despite video evidence showing security forces firing live rounds at protesters, Nigerian police denied any involvement in the killings.

Amnesty International condemned the treason charges, stating, “Some of the charges to be filed against the protesters, ranging from treason, which carries the death penalty and allegations of ‘plans to destabilise Nigeria,’ show how far the Nigerian authorities can go in manipulating the criminal justice system to silence critical voices,” as PulseNets reported.

Also Read: #EndBadGovernance: “Crime Against State” — Presidency Vows to Crack Down on Protest Violence Perpetrators

Activist and Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore also spoke out against the Tinubu-led government, calling the trial a sham. “The sham trial of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria activists has commenced as expected; the federal government, through the Attorney General Of the Federation, files bogus treason charges (without any iota of evidence) and gets a federal judge to take the case; the judge sits and hears these lengthy, often repetitive charges, and knows that lawyers would ask for the ball but adjourns claiming he can’t accept bail applications orally. Innocent people are trucked to a nearby prison,” Mr. Sowore tweeted on Monday, as reported by PulseNets.