Falana criticizes treason charges against #EndBadGovernance protesters

Femi Falana, a prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has criticized the increasing use of treason charges against protesters in Nigeria.

Falana, who was speaking at a two-day international conference on anti-corruption and climate change in Abuja on Tuesday, slammed the allegations.

On Monday, the Federal Government arraigned 10 leaders and organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protests, which ran from August 1 to 10, 2024. The protesters appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, facing charges of treason among other charges.

The defendants—Michael Adaramoye (also known as Lenin), Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaoluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nuradeen Khamis, and Abdulsalam Zubairu—pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge filed by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

The charges, outlined in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, include treason, attempting to destabilise the state, intimidation of the President and destruction of government property in Kano.

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The #EndBadGovernance protests, which attracted widespread attention in August, were part of a broader movement demanding greater accountability and reform in Nigerian governance.

Falana expressed serious concerns about what he called the “tribalization” of treason, questioning the logic behind charging citizens with serious offences simply for protesting.

“I have been under pressure in the last 24 hours from Nigerians and abroad. People are wondering why the charge of treason in our country is considered a taboo. How can you say that because people are protesting, they are accused of treason?” Falana asked.

Assuring the public that there was no cause for alarm, Falana revealed that he had taken up the case and planned to advise President Bola Tinubu to order the police to drop the charges.

“All those who have expressed concerns, do not worry; there is no reason to worry. We are handling the case, and we will advise the government, especially the President, to order the police to drop the charges. And that advice is also in the interest of the government because treason charges are not like theft charges,” Falana said.

He highlighted his experience defending treason cases, adding that this was the fifth case he had handled. “In the previous four cases, the government was forced to drop the charges because we submitted the cases to the government court,” Falana added.

He warned that misuse of treason charges could have negative repercussions for the government, citing past experience as evidence.

Falana’s post criticizes treason charges against #EndBadGovernance protesters first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.