Group, NBA facilitate release of #EndBadGovernance protesters in Kano

Hope Behind Bars Africa in collaboration with the Citizens’ Liberties Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has secured the release of seven #EndBadGovernance protesters who had been unjustly detained in Kano.

The step was initiated by the organisation and the Chairman, Human Rights Committee of the NBA, Uggogo Branch, Aminu Mohammed Gabari.

According to the body, over 870 protesters were arrested in Kano during their participation in the #EndBadGovernance Protest, maintaining that, some of the affected protesters include minors, who were accused of terrorism and treasonable felonies.

Adding: “The protesters, who had been advocating for better governance and accountability, were arrested and detained since August without trial.

“Out of the seven protesters released, six were discharged, while one was convicted with the option of fine, which was paid.”

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Also, Hope Behind Bars Africa, represented by Legal Counsel Samuel Olukade Esq. also met with the Chief Registrar of the Kano state Judiciary to table the organisation’s concerns on the health and welfare of incarcerated protesters and request a reevaluation of the stringent bail terms being given for their alleged offences.

The body said it took up the early initiative of preserving these freedoms, setting up a toll free call line for unjustly detained peaceful protesters to seek probono Legal support.

Through this intervention, the organization noted that it has directly secured the release of several protesters across Nigeria.

According to the body, the large-scale detention burdens the legal system, calling to question the government’s approach to managing protests and the extent to which the Nigerian state upholds civil liberties, including the constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly.

It vowed not to relent in championing the rights of justice-impacted individuals, provide legal support to those facing unlawful detention, and advocate for institutional reforms and changes in the criminal justice system alongside the NBA and other stakeholders.