The initiative was spearheaded by the organisation and Aminu Mohammed Gabari, the Chairman of the NBA’s Human Rights Committee, Uggogo Branch.
According to the organisation, over 870 protesters were arrested in Kano during their participation in the protests.
The organisation maintained that some of those arrested were minors, accused of terrorism and treasonable felonies.
A spokesperson for the organisation said: “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 a fine, which was paid.”
Additionally, Hope Behind Bars Africa, represented by Legal Counsel Samuel Olukade Esq., met with the Chief Registrar of the Kano State Judiciary to raise the organisation’s concerns about the health and welfare of incarcerated protesters and request a re-evaluation of the stringent bail terms imposed for their alleged offences.
Hope Behind Bars Africa stated that it took the early initiative of preserving these freedoms by 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 directly secured the release of several protesters across Nigeria.
According to the organisation, the large-scale detention burdened the legal system, calling into 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.
Hope Behind Bars Africa vowed not to relent in championing the rights of individuals impacted by injustice, providing legal support to those facing unlawful detention, and advocating for institutional reforms within the criminal justice system alongside the NBA and other stakeholders.
Group, NBA facilitate release of seven #EndBadGovernance protesters in Kano
Kano protesters
