Hunger protest: FG begins prosecution of activists, British ally today

The Federal Government has concluded plans to arraign some of the organisers of the recent hunger protest today (Monday) in the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said that the Federal Government also named a British citizen, Andrew Wynne, a defendant, in the charge.

In the charge sheet marked, FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, the defendants were accused of  “treason, destabilising the country, intimidating the President and destroying the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, in Kano,” among others.

The IG claimed that the protesters acted in concert and conspired with the intention to destabilise the polity to commit a felony, to wit: treason, between August 1 and August 10, 2024.

Egbetokun said the offence was contrary to Section 95 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

The IG also said, “Between August 1 and August 10, 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.”

The IG added, "The protesters, between August 1 and August 10,  2024, in Abuja FCT, Kaduna, Kano and Gombe, in collaboration with Andrew  Wynne (aka Andrew Povich) a British citizen, with the intent to destabilise Nigeria, waged war against the state in order to intimidate the President by attacking and injuring police officers and burning police stations, High Court Complex, NCC Complex, Kano Printing Press, Government House Karo, Kadama Investment and Promotions Agency office, NURTW office and several other buildings."

Egbetokun said the offence was contrary to Section 410 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LEN 204.

Also, the defendants were accused of collaborating with Wynne, a British citizen, with the intent to destabilise Nigeria, incited disaffection to the government by inciting public disturbance while carrying placards with the inscription ‘#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria’ and several other inscriptions to incite disaffection to the government.

The IG said they committed an offence contrary to Section 416 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 204.

The #EndBadGoveranceInNigeria protests, which commenced on August 1 and ended on 10, were in response to the economic hardship experienced by the citizens.

According to figures revealed by human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), on August 22, 2024, a total of 2,111 individuals were arrested during the 10-day nationwide protests, with a total of 1,403 arraigned in court and remanded in prison following a lack of legal representation.

In the charge sheet filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Federal Government named the defendants 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; Comrade Musa Abdollahi.

The National Coordinator, Take It Back, Juwon Sanyaolu, disclosed that the defendants would be arraigned today (Monday).

Sanyaolu said, “Mass trial of another set of the protesters in Kano and Abuja will commence tomorrow (Monday). Femi Falana will be representing them.”

Meanwhile, some activists have petitioned the International Criminal Court and the United States of America Embassy, seeking the release of detained protesters in Nigeria.

The copy of the petition obtained by The Punch, disclosed that the activists, mostly based in the U.S., said protesters were not the enemies of the country.

The petition was signed by John Parker of the Harriet Tubman Centre for Social Justice, Los Angeles, CA; Sharon Black of Peoples Power Assembly, Washington, DC/Maryland/ Virginia USA; Maggie Vascassenno of Women in Struggle, Los Angeles, CA; and Andrew Mayton of Youth Against War & Racism, Baltimore, USA, among others.

It partly read, “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 enemies. 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!”

“We stand in solidarity with the just demands of the people for jobs, lower prices of food and other essential items to live and support a family.”