A non-governmental organisation known as Citizens Gavel announced on Saturday that it successfully secured the release of seven protesters who were arrested in Katsina during the recent #EndBadGovernance demonstrations.
News About Nigeria reported that the protests, which were part of a nationwide movement against economic hardship, lasted from August 1–10.
According to the NGO, the release was achieved after filing a fundamental rights enforcement action against the Nigerian police.
“We have successfully secured the release of seven participants of the #EndBadGovernance protest in Katsina State,” the organisation stated.
Despite the peaceful nature of the protest on August 1, 2024, where participants had duly notified the Nigerian Police Force and other security agencies, the protesters were arrested, charged in court, and subsequently remanded in prison.
A volunteer legal team, led by Muhammed Mukhtar Lawal, Esq., provided legal representation throughout the process.
Following the NGO’s legal intervention, the Katsina State High Court granted bail to the seven protesters, affirming their fundamental rights to liberty.
During the protests, the Katsina State government imposed a curfew, and security operatives arrested 50 individuals accused of vandalising public property.
In a related development, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted police requests to remand 124 additional #EndBadGovernance protesters for 60 days, pending the conclusion of investigations.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in separate rulings, approved the interim order to detain the suspects, including minors, until investigations and legal advice from the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) are complete.
The suspects, who range in age from 14 to 34, face serious charges, including terrorism, treason, and arson, as alleged by the police.
These offences are said to be in violation of various provisions of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022, the Criminal Code Act, the Penal Code Act, and other relevant statutes.
