The Federal Government is poised to bring several organizers of the recent hunger protests before the Federal High Court in Abuja Monday.
According to The PUNCH, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has filed a six-count charge against the defendants, including a British national, Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich.
The indictment, filed under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, accuses the defendants of serious offenses, including treason, attempts to destabilize the country, threats to the President, and vandalism of the NCC in Kano.
The charges allege that between July 1 and August 4, 2024, the protesters, in collaboration, aimed to disrupt the nation’s stability and commit treason.
The #EndBadGoveranceInNigeria protests, which ran from August 1 to August 10, were sparked by widespread economic difficulties. According to human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), as of August 22, 2024, over 2,100 people had been detained during the 10-day demonstrations.
Of these, 1,403 individuals have been formally charged and are currently imprisoned, many due to a lack of legal representation.
The charge sheet lists the accused as Micheal Adaramoye, aka Lenin, Adeyemi Ahayomi, aka Yomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, aka Murtala, Nursdeen Khamis, Abdulsalam Zubairu, Andrew Wynne, aka Andrew Povich, Lucky Obryan, and Comrade Musa Abdollahi.
The IG claimed these individuals conspired to commit treason, a violation under 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.”
Additionally, Egbetokun accused the protesters, including British national Andrew Wynne, aka Andrew Povich, of engaging in activities from July 1 to August 10, 2024, across Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe.
They allegedly waged war against the state, aiming to intimidate the President by attacking police officers, burning police stations, the High Court Complex, NCC Complex, Kano Printing Press, Government House Karo, Kadama Investment and Promotions Agency office, NURTW office, and other buildings. This is in violation of Section 410 of the Penal Code, Northern States, Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LEN 204.
Further charges against the defendants include collaborating with Wynne to incite public unrest by carrying placards with slogans such as ‘end bad government,’ an offense under Section 416 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 204.
The National Coordinator of Take It Back, Juwon Sanyaolu, announced that the defendants would be arraigned today, Monday.
Sanyaolu noted that a mass trial for other protesters in Kano and Abuja is set to begin tomorrow, with Femi Falana representing them.
In response, several activists have petitioned both the International Criminal Court and the U.S. Embassy, advocating for the release of detained #EndBadGovernance protesters.
The petition, signed by John Parker of the Harriet Tubman Centre for Social Justice, Sharon Black of the Peoples Power Assembly, Maggie Vascassenno of Women in Struggle, and Andrew Mayton of Youth Against War & Racism, condemns the government’s actions and calls for the immediate release of all detainees.
It stated, “We are workers, students, and activists in the U.S., the imperialist giant. We call on you to hear the righteous demands of the people of the #EndBadGovernance movement.
“The protesters are not your enemy. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our comrades in Nigeria, fighting for an end to poverty, unemployment, and hunger. Tens of thousands of Nigerians protested throughout Nigeria August 1 – 10, 2024, to demand an end to austerity measures that are impoverishing the people. The government forces shot live ammunition into crowds of demonstrators, killing up to 50 innocent Nigerians.
“Over 2,000 Nigerians were arrested in the 10-day period. The arrests are continuing with nighttime raids of homes of suspected activists. Release them all immediately!”
The petition also demands the Nigerian government drop all charges against the protesters, halt the raids and detentions, and ensure legal representation.
It further condemns the recent invasion of the Nigeria Labour Congress headquarters, urging the return of seized materials.
“We call on the government of Nigeria to immediately release all #EndBadGovernance detainees! Drop the trumped-up charges. End the continuing raids and detentions. Provide legal representation. Target the IMF & World Bank, not the people!” it urges.
The activists express solidarity with those fighting against the austerity measures imposed by the IMF and World Bank, noting that similar measures have also harmed workers in the U.S.
“The calls for an end to the austerity measures imposed by the IMF and World Bank are justified. Here in the U.S., workers and the poor are also impoverished by the same banks that are hurting the people of Nigeria,” they added.
