•Deji Adeyanju
One of the lawyers to #EndBadGovernance protesters, Deji Adeyanju Esq, yesterday, disclosed that lawyers, under the auspices of Citizens’ Liberties Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, have secured the release of six protesters in Kano State.
This came as civil society organisations, numbering 67, yesterday, declared that attack on the civic space and democracy was no more acceptable, noting that Nigerians were yearning for good governance.
According to Adeyanju, the committee was able to secure their release, yesterday at the ongoing trial of the protesters in Kano, reports Vanguard.
The NBA Civil Liberties Committee is chaired by Nuhu Egya, and has Deji Adeyanju, and other prominent human rights activists as members.
Adeyanju told our correspondent that they were in Kano State to attend the trial of some protesters, thereafter, to visit the Chief Judge of Kano State and subsequently pay a solidarity visit to protesters in prison.
Kano State has over 1,000 protesters arrested by security agencies, making the state with the highest number of protesters arrested and remanded, but almost 80 of them granted bail recently.
He said: “The Citizens’ Liberties Committee of the NBA intervenes in ongoing trial of Kano protesters, secures release of six #EndBadGovernance protesters.
“Trial of others adjourned till September 23, 2024. Efforts are ongoing in Kano to meet leadership of the judiciary. The committee will proceed to the prison shortly after meeting with the Chief Judge of Kano.”
He further disclosed that the Senior Lecturer, Department of Petroleum and Gas Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Baze University, Dr. Abubakar Alkali, has been granted bail by Sokoto State High Court after being in custody of the Department of State Security, DSS, for over three weeks for supporting #EndBadGovernance protesters.
“Dr. Alkali, the Baze University lecturer has just been granted bail by Sokoto State High Court. We wish to thank the leadership of the NBA, the Citizens Liberties Committee and our ever hardworking Sokoto Branch of the NBA for the support and intervention in this regard.
“We also thank the media and other critical stakeholders for the role you all played,” he said.
Attack on civic space, democracy no more acceptable, 67 CSOs tell FG
In a statement, yesterday, by the CSOs, they pointed out how intimidation and repressive actions were meted out to Nigerians, including recent attacks and arrests of civil society leaders, and laying siege to their offices, and incarceration of #EndBadGovernance protesters, and other issues that have made citizens to lose trust in the governance process.
The statement said: “We urge, the prompt rectification of the numerous errors made in the past months, which have not only eroded public trust but have also created an atmosphere of fear and repression.
“Prior to September 9, 2024, analysts observing Nigeria’s civic environment would have rated the Bola Tinubu administration poor regarding its efforts to safeguard and enhance press freedom, the right to associate, peaceful assembly, and self-expression.
“However, the events of September 9, 2024, marked a significant deterioration to an already bad situation for an administration that has increasingly demonstrated its willingness to suppress dissenting voices.
“In a manner reminiscent of Nigeria’s oppressive military regime, the Nigerian Government deployed agents from the DSS to unlawfully arrest the leader of the Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, Joe Ajaero. Before we could fully comprehend the ramifications of this incident, we learned that agents from the same agency had also besieged the offices of the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, a civil society organisation working to advance the social, economic, and cultural rights of the Nigerian populace.”
“The Tinubu administration, which took office on May 29, 2023, has been marked by a troubling pattern of neglect towards the concerns and aspirations of large segments of the Nigerian population.
“This administration appears to be following a path similar to that of its predecessor, the Buhari administration, which was widely criticised for its failure to safeguard the civic space and uphold democratic principles.
“The current government seems intent on not only maintaining but potentially exacerbating the shortcomings of the Buhari regime, raising serious concerns about the state of democracy and human rights in Nigeria.
“One of the most alarming developments under the Tinubu administration is the alarming frequency with which journalists are being targeted. Reports indicate that these individuals are being abducted from their homes and subjected to various forms of harassment on an almost daily basis.
“This systematic targeting occurs merely because they are exercising their constitutional duty to hold the government accountable to the citizens. Such actions not only undermine press freedom but also create a climate of fear that stifles dissent and discourages critical reporting on government actions.
“The situation escalated dramatically when Nigerians took to the streets last month to peacefully protest against the worsening economic conditions and escalating insecurity in the country.
“Instead of engaging with the citizens and addressing their grievances, the Nigerian Police responded with excessive force.”
