The 10-day #EndBadGovernance protests may have concluded, but their impact will linger for some time.
For example, numerous protesters arrested across various states, primarily in the North, have been charged in court and remanded in prison, with their trials unlikely to begin soon given the notorious delays in our judicial system.
As a result, they now find themselves as ‘prisoners awaiting trial.’
Although the arraignment adheres to the legal requirement that suspects be brought before a court within 48 hours of arrest, there is little evidence that the #EndBadGovernance protesters had legal representation during their arraignment, as would typically be expected.
It is also unclear whether their pleas were taken, and even more concerning, they were denied bail.
In Kano State, for instance, out of 832 protesters arrested, 600 have been charged to court without the opportunity for bail, all being remanded in prison until their next hearing.
Similarly, in Plateau State, 51 suspects were charged without legal representation or bail.
The police acknowledged that a lawyer was involved in one case but provided no further details.
The next hearing dates remain uncertain, but if the case in Plateau is any indication, these detainees could remain in custody for at least a month, with their next court dates set for September 18 and 19.
The situation in Katsina State differs slightly, where out of 120 protesters arrested and charged, 64 had legal representation, resulting in bail for 30. However, 90 protesters remain in prison, though their lawyers are hopeful for their clients’ release soon.
In Sokoto, many of the 110 protesters arrested in the early days of the protests are reportedly still in correctional facilities.
These individuals were swiftly remanded after being brought before a mobile court established by the state government. Protesters arrested later were supposed to be presented in court on Thursday, but they were not seen in any magistrate courts in the state capital.
A survey by Sunday Vanguard across 11 states reveals that 1,423 suspected protesters were arrested and charged.
Notably, some protesters accused of flying Russia’s flag have been transferred to Abuja for further interrogation. Kano leads with 832 arrests, followed by Sokoto with 110, Borno with 97, Katsina with 90, and various others across different states.
Charges against the protesters range from criminal conspiracy and inciting disturbance to riot, theft, mischief, and arson.
Despite earlier promises from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to provide legal aid to protesters whose rights were violated, the association was absent from all court proceedings in the states where arraignments took place.
Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu, SAN, Chairman of the NBA Human Rights Institute and a member of the NBA Free Legal Support Team for #EndBadGovernance protesters, stated that the NBA is intervening on behalf of some protesters in Abuja who were harassed and brutalized by security forces at the MKO Abiola Stadium, the protest venue.
He mentioned that a lawsuit is being filed on their behalf.
“The branches of the NBA were mandated to provide legal assistance to anyone arrested or whose human rights were violations during the protest”, Obiagwu told Sunday Vanguard late last week.
“There were a number of reports from the branches about support provided to diverse range of people. Most of the cases are still going on and so the data have not been collated at the central NBA level.
“In Abuja, some protesters, including women, were molested at the stadium when they came to arrange for the August 10 protests.
“This was the stadium the court designated as the approved place for the protests, yet they were beaten and harassed by law enforcement agents in the same venue.
“So, the NBA Human Rights Institute intervened and some of the molested protesters are filing a suit to challenge the denial of their right to peaceful protests.”
From August 1 to August 10, nationwide protests took place under the banner #EndBadGovernance. Organized by youth groups, the protests aimed to draw the government’s attention to the worsening economy and widespread hunger.
Despite government efforts to discourage the demonstrations, citing concerns that they might be hijacked by hoodlums, the protests went ahead.
In cities like Abuja and Lagos, where the government obtained court orders to restrict demonstrations to specific venues, the protests were mostly peaceful.
However, in many states, particularly in the northern region, the situation escalated as hoodlums infiltrated the protests, resulting in violence, loss of lives, and property damage.
The police labeled many of the detained individuals as ‘rioters,’ though some of those arrested insisted they were merely protesting.
In certain states, including Kano, Kaduna, and Katsina, the protests also morphed into pro-Russia rallies, with demonstrators carrying Russian flags, signaling a desire for Nigeria to seek solutions from Russia.
The Kano State Police Command reported the arrest of 832 suspects during the protests, with 600 identified as rioters and 76 detained for displaying Russian flags.
According to State Commissioner of Police Salman Garba, additional arrests included six individuals accused of orchestrating the looting of the Kano Printing Press and 150 people for violating the state-imposed curfew.
“The Kano State Police Command has worked diligently and professionally towards addressing the aftermath of the August 1st to 10th nationwide protests, and these efforts resulted in the arrest of 873 suspects and recovery of large quantity of exhibits”, he said.
“Arrest and prosecution of six hundred (600) suspects for various offences, including criminal conspiracy, inciting disturbance, riot, theft, mischief and arson were made.
“Similarly, arrest and prosecution of one hundred and fifty (150) suspects for violating the curfew enforced by the Kano State government while additional (6) suspects arrested were linked with masterminding the destruction, setting ablaze and looting of the Kano Printing Press (KPP) are undergoing investigation.
“We also arrested and transferred seventy-six (76) suspects flying Russian flags, including a foreigner to Force Headquarters, Abuja for discreet investigation on charges of sedition”.
When asked for further details regarding the number of suspects granted bail after their court arraignment, SP Abdullahi Haruna, spokesperson for the state Police Command, clarified that no bail had been granted. Meanwhile, in Kaduna State, it was reported that suspects arrested in connection with the protests were also charged in court.
Although a source within the police indicated that more than 50 youths had been arrested, ASP Mansir Hassan, the state Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), was unable to confirm the exact number of those detained.
“All the suspects have been changed to court and some were transferred to Abuja for investigation”, Hassan simply told Sunday Vanguard.
Meanwhile, there were reports that some of those detained were peaceful protesters who had not engaged in looting or vandalism of government and private properties.
Malam Ahmed Rufa’i, a tailor from Kaduna North Local Government Area, claimed that the police, during their mass arrests, failed to distinguish between genuine protesters and troublemakers.
In Plateau State, 51 suspects were arrested in Jos during the protests and were promptly charged in court, according to the State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Alfred Alabo.
It is worth noting that some of the individuals were apprehended for violating the curfew imposed by the State Government in the wake of the protests. A reliable source within the state Police Command revealed that none of the detained individuals had been granted bail at the time of this report.
“Shortly after they were arrested, they were all charged to court for inciting disturbance and failure to comply with an order made by the government. A lawyer called for one of the suspects but none is bailed yet. Some of them were arrested with dangerous weapons”, the source said.
“When they were arraigned, they all pleaded guilty, so they were remanded in prison custody and the matter was adjourned to the 18th and 19th of next month. So those that can afford to get lawyers, their lawyers will file bail applications which will be considered.
“They were arraigned at the time of the protests, and so the court exercised its discretion to remand them and some of them were arrested with dangerous weapons”.
In Katsina State, 120 protesters were arrested for allegedly engaging in destructive activities and causing unrest during recent demonstrations. According to ASP Abubakar Sadiq, spokesperson for the Katsina Police Command, all the suspects have been arraigned in court.
Sources informed Sunday Vanguard that the accused were brought before multiple courts, but their hearings were postponed.
While some individuals secured bail, a significant number were remanded in correctional facilities awaiting trial.
A legal team from Lawyers for Rule of Law and Human Rights, representing 64 protesters, reported that they had secured bail for 30 of them.
The team, led by MM Lawal and DD Sani, is working to secure the release of the remaining 34 detainees.
It was understood that some protesters remain in custody because the charges against them are bailable only in a High Court. A check at the two correctional facilities in the state capital revealed that 42 protesters had been admitted earlier.
Among those still detained are prominent figures like Kabir Shehu ‘Yandaki, Habibu Ruma, and five others who led the protests under the ‘Struggle for Good Governance’ banner.
The court has scheduled their trial continuation for September 11, 2024.
In Sokoto metropolis, sources reported that many of the 110 individuals arrested during the first two days of nationwide protests are still in correctional centers.
The suspects were quickly remanded in prison custody after being presented before a mobile court set up by the state government.
More suspects, expected to appear in court on Thursday, were not seen in any of the magistrate courts in the state capital.
When contacted, ASP Ahmed Rufai, spokesman for the Sokoto State Police Command, declined to comment, stating the matter was before the court.
He referred our correspondent to the state High Court, where the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nakwanta Mohamned, also declined to comment.
Similarly, Abubakar Dingyadi, Public Relations Officer of the Sokoto Correctional Service, noted that the Service was awaiting a production warrant from the court that remanded the suspects at the Central Correctional Home in Sokoto.
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Relatives of some of the arrested individuals revealed that many of those who pleaded guilty were fined between N130,000 and N150,000, depending on the charges against them.
The protests, which turned violent in Sokoto on the first two days, resulted in significant vandalism of infrastructure, including areas near the Government House.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu has vowed to severely punish those involved in the destruction of public property during the protests.
In Nasarawa State, the Police Command reported the arrest of 50 protesters from various local governments across the state, with 10 minors released and the remaining 40 charged to court.
DSP Ramhan Nansel, the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), disclosed that 25 protesters were arrested in Lafia, 16 in Karu, six in Keffi, and three in Mararaba-Udege.
Governor Abdullahi Sule expressed concern over the use of Almajiris, who were found to be minors unaware of the protests’ purpose, in the demonstrations.
In Taraba State, no arrests were made during the protests. The demonstrations lost momentum after the first day, with security forces maintaining peace and order.
In Borno and Yobe States, about 97 suspects were arrested in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, while 51 were detained in Yobe in connection with violence that erupted during the protests, resulting in property damage worth millions of naira.
DSP Kenneth Daso, the Borno State Police Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrests.
He said: “The suspects include seven social media instigators, seven persons who hoisted Russia flags and 83 violent protesters who were arrested at various locations in Maiduguri metropolis and Jere local government area.
“They vandalized public infrastructure and private property, caused mischief by fire, rioting, theft and looting of items.
“Some of the significant actions include the looting of office and food items of World Food Programme (WFP) warehouse at Baga Road, removal of interlocks, destruction of flower vases, street lights and pedestrian bridge barricades at Bulumkutu, Lagos Street, Baga Road and Gwange”.
The Public Relations Officer (PPRO) encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities in their area to the police or other security agencies, reaffirming the Command’s dedication to maintaining public peace and security. Daso also mentioned that all suspects were taken to court for trial and “punishment” after spending 24 hours in custody.
Our correspondent learned that during the first day of protests in Maiduguri, the Borno State Mechanical Workshop and a police patrol vehicle were vandalized, while dozens of people were injured or lost their lives.
In Yobe, protests turned violent in the local government areas of Nguru, Potiskum, and Gashua, though the state capital, Damaturu, saw peaceful demonstrations.
In Potiskum, for instance, it was reported that youths vandalized seven buses belonging to the Potiskum Council, as well as streetlights, traffic warden sheds, and other public properties.
In Nguru, a pharmacy owned by an individual named Alhikma and a storage facility belonging to the local council were damaged. An ICT Centre named after former Senate President Ahmed Lawan was also vandalized, along with other public and private properties in Gashua and the surrounding areas, resulting in millions of naira in damages. According to Yobe State Police Command spokesman ASP Dungus Abdulkarim, 51 suspects were arrested, with 35 being remanded at the Potiskum Correctional Centre. The underage suspects may be released on bail.
Kwara In Kwara State, no protests occurred, and therefore no arrests were made. The state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Ejire Adeyemi Adetoun, confirmed, “There were no protests in Kwara State, so we didn’t arrest any protesters.”
Bauchi Bauchi State Police Commissioner Auwal Musa Mohammed confirmed that a police officer was injured and over 60 protesters were arrested on the first day of protests in the state.
The protesters, numbering over 3,000, became violent, engaging in phone theft, property destruction, and stoning police officers.
Despite efforts to disperse them, the protesters regrouped and attempted to force their way into the Bauchi Government House.
The Commissioner explained that the arrests were made due to breaches of public order and unlawful assembly, as the protesters did not have police permission.
He noted that 52 of those arrested, including women, were detained for their violent behavior. Mohammed emphasized that the police acted professionally and refrained from using lethal force, even though the protesters used women and children as shields.
When Sunday Vanguard contacted the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, to inquire about the number of protesters released, he responded, “We charged all to court. Only the courts have the details, please.”
Zamfara The Zamfara State Police Command reported the arrest of 19 suspects during the protests. The state Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Yazeed Abubakar, stated that the suspects were immediately charged to court without spending 24 hours in custody.
He clarified that the police only arrested individuals who were caught looting shops and stealing public property, while peaceful protesters were not detained.
He further explained: “Those arrested were charged with criminal conspiracy because they were caught with stolen public properties worth five hundred (500) million naira.
The PPRO also stated that some of the suspects were charged with armed robbery as they were caught with dangerous weapons.
“None of the arrested 19 was released on bail by the state Police Command, they were screened and we charged them all to court”, Abubakar said.
In Niger State, the majority of the violent protests occurred in Suleja, the headquarters of the Suleja local government area, and in Sabon Wuse, the headquarters of the Tafa local government area.
The Public Relations Officer for the State Police Command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the arrest of 23 individuals.
“On the 1st of August, the day the protest started at about 1000hrs, some miscreants of Tafa area of Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State and that of Sabon-Wuse Tafa and Hayin-Dikko Gurara area of Niger State mobilized and stormed Tafa LGA Secretariat of Niger State located along Abuja, Kaduna expressway, Sabon-Wuse Niger State”, Abiodun said in a statement.
“The hoodlums vandalized the Secretariat, partly set ablaze two cars while two others were vandalized.
“They further looted office valuables such as computers, refrigerators, file cabinets, ceiling fans, office chairs, television sets and office burglaries. “The police and other security agencies responded and a total of 23 suspects were arrested with different dangerous weapons, while others were dispersed from the scene and most of the looted items were recovered mostly from Kagarko in Kaduna State”.
The suspects were reportedly transferred to SCID Minna for further investigation and are set to be arraigned in court once the investigation is completed.
(Vanguard)
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