NBA, group facilitate release of seven protesters as activist pleads clemency for others
In a significant move, 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 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 the nationwide march, maintaining that some of the affected protesters included minors, who were accused of terrorism and treasonable felonies.
It stated: “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.”
Also, Hope Behind Bars Africa, represented by Legal Counsel, Samuel Olukade, met with the Chief Registrar of Kano State Judiciary to table the organisation’s concerns on the health and welfare of incarcerated protesters and request a re-evaluation of the stringent bail terms being given for their alleged offences.
The group 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 pro bono legal support.
Through this intervention, the organisation noted that it had directly secured the release of several protesters across the federation.
The large-scale detention, it observed, places a burden on 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.
IN a related development, a rights activist, Donald Nwaneri, has called on President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate and unconditional release of detained protesters.
In a correspondence, he claimed that one Abuja-based businessman, Chukwudi Opara, and over 1,400 others arrested in connection with the nationwide protest have been languishing in police custody for more than one month, urging the President to show leniency.
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