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Mass Trial Of #EndBadGovernance Protesters To Begin In Abuja, Kano, Others As Falana-Led Legal Team Prepares Defence
The mass trial of #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters is scheduled to commence on Monday, September 2, 2024 in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Borno courts.
SaharaReporters learnt that those detained over the #EndBadGovernance protests in Abuja will be tried in Justice Emeka Nwite’s court.
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) will be leading a team of lawyers to defend the protesters.
Amnesty International Nigeria had said that over 2,000 protesters were arrested across the country during the 10-day protests against hunger and misgovernance tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.
It demanded the unconditional release of those arrested, insisting that instead government should begin to address the issues that led to the protests in the first place.
Specifically, Amnesty International said out of the 2,111 suspects arrested across the country, 1,403 had been arraigned in various courts.
It lamented that the suspects were ordered to be remanded in prison custody due to a lack of legal representation.
Last Sunday, SaharaReporters reported that Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja had granted the police’s request to remand 124 protesters in custody for 60 days, pending the completion of investigations.
The court’s interim order was issued in response to separate ex-parte motions filed by police counsel Ibrahim Mohammed, allows for the suspects’ continued detention.
Notably, the court directed that minor suspects be held at the Borstal Home of the correctional centre until the conclusion of investigations.
The affected protesters include minors, who were accused of terrorism and treasonable felonies.
In two ex-parte applications obtained by SaharaReporters, the Inspector-General (IG) of Police sought an interim order to remand the suspects until the conclusion of the investigation, which was granted by Justice Emeka Nwite.
The applications were brought pursuant to Section 66(1) of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) ACT 2022, Section 35 (1) (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and Section 299 the Administration of Criminal Justice ACT 2015 and under the inherent jurisdiction of this honourable court to administer justice.
In the first motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1154/2024, between Inspector General of Police as Complainant/Applicant and 75 protesters; the police alleged they committed acts of terrorism, treason, and treasonable felonies, including arson and terrorism.
The police said the offence was contrary to Sections 2(1) and (3), 24 and 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022; Sections 41 and 42 of the Criminal Code Act; Sections 410, 411, and 412 of the Penal Code Act; and Section 4 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and other enabling statutes.
In the second ex-parte motion with Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1223/2024, the police also sought an order to remand another set of 49 defendants for 60 days pending the conclusion of the investigation.
The defendants include Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo, Michael Adaramuye, Musiu Sadiq, Buhari Lawal, Love Angel Innocent, Suleiman Yakubu, Yunusa Aliyu, Ahmad Nasir, Muhammed Sani, Iliyasu Anas, Abdullahi Sani and Gaddafi Muhammed.
Others include Abubakar Ibrahim 18 Years, Abubakar Adam 19 Years, Suleiman Ali 16 Years, Mubarak Mas’ud 23 Years, Umar Musa 19 Years, Aminu Hussaini 20 Years, Umar Muhd Kabir 23 Years, Ibrahim Aliyu Musa 24 Years, Aminu Muhd 24 Years, Abba Usman 30 Years, Usman Muhd 20 Years, Umar Inusa 18 Years, and Tasi’u Lawan 17 Years.
Others include Ibrahim Rabi’u 16 Years, Jamilu Haruna 16 Years, Muktar Yahaya 17 Years, Usman Surajo 18 Years, Musa Adam 22 Years, Usman Yusuf 22 Years, Usman Yunusa 20 Years, Bello Abdullahi 23 Years, Abba Adamu 22 Years, Isma’il Yunusa Abdullahi 28 Years, Abdullahi Suleiman 17 Years, Haruna Suleiman 22 Years, Suleiman Dauda 17 Years, Abbas Hamza 26 Years, Abubakar Abdullahi 18 Years, and Umar Muhd Sani 26 Years.
Among them are Yusuf Haruna Lawan 21 Years, Yahaya Musa 18 Years, Yahaya Sani 20 Years, Abdullahi Sani 21 Years, Abdulbasit Abdulsalam 34 Years, Muktar Ishaq Alhassan 16 Years, Sani Aliyu 17 Years, Mahmud Mustapha 16 Years, Umar Muhd 24 Years, Umar Abdullahi 17 Years, Tasi’u Muhd 18 Years, Habibu Sani 17 Years, Auwalu Abdullahi 21 Years, Abdulmalik Auwal 19 Years, Umar Ahmad Umar 25 Years, Abubakar Muhd 22 Years, Mustapha Abubakar 17 Years, Umar Ahmad Muhd 24 Years, Sani Hassan Idris 17 Years, Abdulrahaman Ibrahim 17 Years, Kabiru Sani 25 Years, Sammani Ali 25 Years, Abba Ahmad 23 Years, Sa’idu Usman Usman 25 Years, and Salisu Adamu 16 Years.
On Monday, SaharaReporters reported that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had found support from Justice Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja to suppress opposition to its policies, which critics argue are harmful to the people and democracy.
These policies, implemented over the past 15 months, have led to widespread poverty and a surge in the cost of living, with basic food items like beans and rice reaching record prices of N400 and N300 per cup, respectively.
However, the government’s policies have targeted dissenting voices and media practitioners, with Justice Nwite’s recent rulings legitimising the crackdown on critics of the administration.
Opponents argue that these policies, introduced within the first 15 months, have had devastating consequences for the nation. The court’s decisions have been perceived as aligning with the government’s position, fueling debates about the delicate balance between governance and the freedom to express dissenting opinions.
SaharaReporters reported that Justice Emeka Nwite was the judge who gave an ex-parte order freezing accounts of some alleged #EndBadGovernance protesters.
SaharaReporters last Sunday reported that a Federal High Court in Abuja had issued an order freezing the bank accounts of 32 individuals and companies allegedly linked to the #EndBadGovernance protests that took place across Nigeria between August 1 and August 10.
The protests were meant to highlight the challenges Nigerians faced with increasing hunger, misgovernance and exacerbating insecurity that have forced residents to abandoned their farms, leading to food insecurity.
The order also directed banks to detain account holders or anyone found transacting business on the affected accounts, pending investigation and prosecution.
The account numbers affected include 4010073491 (Fidelity Bank), 1255130019 (Access Bank), 0006084167 (Abbey Mortgage Multipurpose Bank Plc), 0821931299 (FCMB), 1012007655 (FCMB), 0000575573 (A AG Mortgage Bank Plc), 1007871587 (UBA), 2037117333 (UBA), 5421031104 (ECOBANK), 0024541201 (Union Bank), 1022899050 (UBA), 8755008491 (Branch International Services Ltd), 5630208636 (Fidelity), and 4936992542 (Fairmoney Microfinance Bank).
Others are 8755008499 (Branch International Financial Services Ltd), 2088228208 (UBA), 2115678044 (Zenith Bank), 3041823452 (First Bank), 1011828445 (New Edge Finance), 3024402748 (First Bank), 0161502459 (GTBank), 0040580047 (Access Bank), 0250291788 (Wema Bank), 6112464260 (Branch International Financial Services Ltd), 1000774097 (Sparkle Microfinance Bank Ltd), 3434649965 (Fairmoney Microfinance Bank), 2013556714 (KUDA Microfinance Bank), 3104962864 (Polaris Bank), 6112464267 (Branch International Finance Services Lit), 8137051249 (OPAY) and 8137051249 (PALMPAY).
The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, has condemned the manner in which Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan was arrested and maltreated by the EFCC.
In a statement issued and signed on Monday by its Director General, Dr
Nwambu Gabriel noted that:
“We are compelled to issue this press statement in response to the distressing reports surrounding the recent arrest of human rights activist Martins Ortse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The manner in which VDM was apprehended and treated is not only unacceptable but reflects a disturbing trend of impunity and abuse of power that undermines the human rights of Nigerian citizens.
VDM’s arrest, reportedly executed in a manner reminiscent of a military-style operation, stands as a stark violation of his basic human rights. Accounts of his treatment—being blindfolded, subjected to physical assault, and detained without adherence to lawful arrest procedures—are deeply troubling and invoke the principles enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights laws. These actions are not merely procedural errors; they represent a fundamental disregard for the rule of law and human dignity.
*Key Concerns:*
1. *Violations of Human Rights*: The treatment meted out to VDM—torture, humiliation, and unlawful detention—contradicts fundamental rights guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution, particularly the right to dignity, liberty, and fair hearing. Such actions are incompatible with both the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015) and international legal standards.
2. *Lack of Justification for Arrest*: The EFCC has failed to provide any legal justification for the reported actions against VDM. It is essential to remember that no individual is to be punished without due process. If the EFCC has evidence of wrongdoing, they must adhere to legal protocols and ensure that VDM is charged in a court of law, affording him the opportunity for defense.
3. *Repercussions on Nigeria’s Global Image*: The actions of the EFCC in this case potentially disgrace Nigeria on an international level. Such behavior can undermine the country’s reputation and portray it as a place where dissent is met with repression rather than dialogue. The importance of upholding human rights cannot be overstated in preserving Nigeria’s standing in the community of nations.
In light of these grave concerns, we call upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to take immediate action by:
1. *Releasing Martins Ortse (VeryDarkMan) forthwith* if there are no formal charges against him.
2. If charges exist, the EFCC must promptly charge him in a competent court, ensuring that all legal rights are upheld and that he receives just treatment in accordance with the law.
3. Ceasing all forms of intimidation and harassment against individuals who engage in constructive criticism or activism, as this undermines the democratic values that Nigeria purports to uphold.
The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness stands firmly against any form of dehumanization and violence perpetrated against citizens, particularly those exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly. We urge the EFCC to rectify the current situation, display accountability, and restore faith in the institutions meant to serve the Nigerian people.
Sincerely,
Nwambu Gabriel, Ph.D.,
Director General
Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has said that Nigeria is taking a frontline role in the push to expand electricity access across Africa, to help power about 300 million people on the continent by 2030.
The Speaker disclosed this while delivering the keynote address at the First Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy, organised by the House Committee on Renewable Energy, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held in Lagos on Monday.
The conference brought together lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and development partners to explore renewable energy solutions and legislative frameworks for boosting access and affordability.
Abbas praised President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a $1 billion funding package for Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency in December 2024, and described it as a major boost for energy inclusion.
According to him, Nigeria’s participation in the Mission 300 initiative, a joint effort with the World Bank and African Development Bank demonstrates the country’s growing commitment to clean, sustainable energy for underserved communities.
He said: “This initiative speaks to Nigeria’s readiness to lead by example on the continent. It is about more than power, it is about development, opportunity, and progress.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a case brought by lawmakers loyal to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, challenging the positions of 27 State House of Assembly members that defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ruling was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Obile, who explained that the lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, remain valid members of the House.
This follows an earlier Supreme Court decision in February that had also refused Governor Fubara’s push to remove the defected lawmakers.
Governor Fubara’s legal team, headed by Yusuf Ali, had already withdrawn the appeal at the Supreme Court, stating that new developments had overtaken the matter.
The Rivers Assembly, represented by Wole Olanipekun, did not oppose this withdrawal.
The case at the Federal High Court was filed by three pro-Fubara lawmakers — Victor Oko-Jumbo, Adolphus Orubienimigha, and Sokari Goodboy Sokari — who asked the court to declare the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant since they left the PDP, the party under which they were elected.
But the court ruled that their defection did not break any constitutional rule that would force them out of office.
“This court cannot close its eyes to the binding precedent of the Supreme Court, which in February recognised the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Speaker Martins Amaewhule. That decision, being from the apex court, is final and conclusive,” Justice Obile ruled.
Speaker Martins Amaewhule reacted positively to the judgment, saying it confirmed their right to stay in the Assembly.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara’s supporters were disappointed by the decision.
This ruling marks another chapter in the political struggle between Governor Fubara and the pro-Wike faction of the Assembly, a conflict that has been ongoing since the December 2023 defections.
For now, the pro-Wike lawmakers have secured some breathing room, even as tensions continue between both camps.
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