The ongoing detention of #EndBadGovernance protesters is raising alarm among lawyers and civil society organizations (CSOs), as many individuals arrested during the protests from August 1-10 remain incarcerated without formal charges. Despite constitutional provisions that limit detention without charge to 24 or 48 hours, thousands of protesters across various states continue to be held in police or Department of State Services (DSS) custody, including minors.
In the capital city of Abuja, 1,090 individuals remain detained, while nearly 600 protesters are still held in Kano. Similar situations are reported in states like Jigawa, Sokoto, and Yobe. Although some minors have been granted bail, many adults are still awaiting trial, facing delays in court and stringent bail conditions.
Prominent lawyers, including Senior Advocate Dayo Akinlaja, have called on the government to drop charges against the detainees, especially in light of Nigeria’s 64th independence celebrations. Akinlaja emphasized that while the government possesses the legal authority to prosecute, the social implications of these actions threaten fundamental democratic principles such as freedom of speech and assembly.
CSOs, including Yiaga Africa, have condemned the arrests, asserting that peaceful protests are a vital component of democracy. They are demanding the unconditional release of the protesters, warning that ongoing detentions undermine the very essence of democratic governance.
As public outcry grows, the future of the detained protesters remains uncertain, and the legal community continues to advocate for their rights and freedoms.
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