The Federal Government is pushing for the death penalty for ten #EndBadGovernance protesters. They are expected to be arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court today.
It accused the protesters of treason, a capital offence punishable by death.
This was contained in a Court document with file number FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, indicating the Tinubu regime is seeking the death penalty for the protesters.
The arrested protesters include:
- Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye
- Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi
- Suleiman Yakubu
- Opaluwa Eleojo Simon
- Angel Love Innocent
- Buhari Lawal
- Mosiu Sadiq
- Bashir Bello
- Nuradeen Khamis
- Abdulsalam Zubairu.
Since the end of the nationwide protests against widespread hardship and insecurity in the country last month, a crackdown on those who participated in the public demonstration by security agencies has been the order of the day.
Hundreds of people have been arrested, including minors, for their alleged involvement in the protest. Many of the arrested persons are being detained without any arraignment.
Critics and human rights organisations have expressed their revulsion at the repressive behaviour of the government, saying the development is deeply disturbing.
As reported by Channels Television, the Federal Government is set to arraign some leaders and organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests held from August 1 to 10, 2024 today.
The protesters are being tried for alleged treason, inciting mutiny and intent to destabilise Nigeria.
In the six counts filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Federal Government also named a British citizen, Andrew Wynne, aka Andrew Povich, a defendant.
In the charge sheet marked, FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, the defendants were accused of “treason, destabilising the country, intimidating the President and destroying the NCC in Kano,” among others.
The IG specifically accused the protesters of acting in concert and conspiring, to destabilise the country, to commit a felony, to wit: treason, between July 1 and August 4, 2024.
Egbetokun said the offence was contrary to Section 95 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
The IG also said, “Between 1 July 2024 and 4 August 2024, at Karshi Abuja FCT, within the jurisdiction of this court, while acting in concert and with intent to destabilise Nigeria, (defendants) conspired together to commit felony, to wit: Inciting to mutiny and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.”
The IG added that the protesters, between July 1, 2024, and August 10, 2024, in Abuja FCT, Kaduna, Kano and Gombe, in collaboration with Andrew Wynne (aka Andrew Povich) a British Citizen, with the intent to destabilise Nigeria, waged war against the state to intimidate or overawe the President by attacking and injuring police officers and burning police stations, High Court Complex, NCC Complex, Kano Printing Press, Government House Karo, Kadama Investment and Promotions Agency office, NURTW office and several other buildings.
Egbetokun said the offence was contrary to Section 410 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LEN 204.
Also, the defendants were accused of collaborating with Wynne, a British Citizen, with the intent to destabilise Nigeria, incited disaffection to the government by inciting public disturbance while carrying placards with the inscription ‘end bad government’ and several other inscriptions to incite disaffection to the government.
The IG said they committed an offence contrary to Section 416 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 204.
