The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has urgently called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and end the unlawful prosecution of over 100 Nigerians currently imprisoned in connection with the nationwide protests held from August 1 to 10. These protests, under the banner #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria, were driven by widespread dissatisfaction with hunger, hardship, and poor governance.
In a statement issued by Akinteye Afeez Babatunde, President of the Senate for NANS, the association reminded President Tinubu that the right to peaceful assembly and protest is a fundamental principle in a democratic society and cannot be compromised. NANS contends that prosecuting these protesters jeopardizes the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy, undermines citizens’ rights to voice their grievances, and challenges the accountability of their leaders.
Babatunde emphasized, “In a democratic society, the right to peaceful assembly and protest is a foundational pillar that must be upheld. We have learned that many protesters are now facing prosecution and have been charged in court. This threatens the core of our democracy, as it diminishes citizens’ ability to express their concerns and demand accountability from those in power.”
He continued, “We earnestly appeal to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address this issue with the urgency it demands. As our nation’s leader, you have been a proponent of democratic values and the rule of law. We urge you to prove your commitment by halting the prosecution of these protesters immediately. Their actions were motivated by a genuine desire for positive change, not malice. Their voices should be heard and respected, not silenced.”
Babatunde further stated that the ongoing prosecution of these protesters creates a dangerous precedent that could deter future civic engagement and undermine the very essence of democracy in Nigeria. “We call on His Excellency to act promptly to stop these prosecutions and ensure that all charges are dismissed. Let us work together to build a nation where freedom of expression is not merely a theoretical right but a tangible reality for every Nigerian.”
Recent reports indicated that a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, has ordered the detention of 10 out of the 124 youths linked to the #EndBadGovernance protests. These individuals have been remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre until September 11 for further trial and decisions on their bail applications. The sole female defendant has been directed to the Suleja Correctional Centre.
Additionally, Justice Nwite had previously issued an order freezing the bank accounts of 32 individuals and companies allegedly associated with the protests. This order, aims to restrict transactions on these accounts pending further investigation and prosecution. The protests, which occurred between August 1 and August 10, were intended to draw attention to the dire conditions of increasing hunger, misgovernance, and worsening insecurity in Nigeria.