Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana has called on the Federal Government to drop all charges against 101 protesters involved in the #EndBadGovernance movement, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to release detained minors who participated in the protests.
Falana’s demand came in response to President Tinubu’s recent instruction to Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi to release minors who had been detained and were facing prosecution over alleged involvement in the protests.
While Falana acknowledged the directive regarding minors, he emphasized that charges against all remaining protesters should also be dismissed.
In a statement, Falana expressed concern over the continued prosecution of the protesters, describing the charges as unfounded.
“In view of the directive of President Bola Tinubu that the treason charge against the malnourished children be withdrawn, it is hoped that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi SAN, will formally discontinue the frivolous charge by filing a nolle prosequi application at the Federal High Court,” he stated.
“The Attorney-general of the Federation should also discontinue the charge pending against the remaining 101 protesters as there is no scintilla of evidence to support the charge of treason arising from the #endbadgovernance protests that took place in several states last August.
“However, in a desperate bid to prove the grave charge of treason against the 130 defendants, including 29 minors and thereby expose the Federal Government of Nigeria to unprecedented ridicule, the Police Prosecutor had set out to tender 76 Russian flags, two fire extinguishers, two prepaid meters, letters of arrest and statements of the suspects at the trial court.”
The situation has drawn widespread criticism, especially after 72 minors were arraigned last Friday at a Federal High Court in Abuja, sparking public outrage.
Many Nigerians view the ongoing prosecution as excessive and argue that the protesters were exercising their right to freedom of expression.
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which took place across several states in August, have continued to stir public discourse, especially in light of the government’s handling of participants.
