The Nigerian government has released three activists who were charged with participating in the nationwide protests known as #EndBadGovernance. The protests lasted from August 1 to 10 and aimed to demand good governance and an end to poor economic policies.
The freed activists were Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, known as “Lenin,” Mosiu Sadiq, and Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon.
Activist Francis Nwapa confirmed their release: “Comrade Michael Adaramoye Lenin, the National Coordinator of Youth Rights Campaign, YRC, and Mosiu Sodiq have been released from Kuje Prison. Thank you all for the solidarity! We will continue to push until everyone is released. Solidarity.”
Human rights activist and #RevolutionNow movement convener Omoyele Sowore also confirmed the release, saying, “Three of our comrades who were imprisoned for participating in the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests have fulfilled their bail conditions and are out of Kuje prison cells.
The young Nigerians were arrested and mistreated by the police and other security agents in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe while exercising their constitutional rights of peaceful assembly as guaranteed in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
On September 2, 2024, the protesters were arraigned before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of treasonable felony, among others.
On September 11, the ten defendants were granted bail with strict conditions: each required N10 million and one surety of the same amount.
The defendants facing charges are Michael Adaramoye (Lenin), Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Comrade Opaluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sodiq, Bashir Bello, Nurudeen Khamis, and Abduldalam Zubair.
They are accused of six counts of alleged treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit a felony, and inciting to mutiny, which is said to be an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.