…Decries delays in #EndBadGovernance trial
By Eniola Akinsipe
A socialist advocacy group has called for the immediate dismissal of all charges against 11 protesters facing trial over their participation in the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, describing the ongoing prosecution as politically motivated and a threat to civil liberties.
In a statement signed by its General Secretary, Abiodun Olamosu, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, Socialist Labour said the protesters, popularly referred to as the Abuja 11, were being unjustly tried on allegations of treason for demanding decent wages, affordable education, equitable distribution of palliatives and an end to what they described as anti-poor government policies.
The group noted that the Abuja 11 are part of a wider set of arrests carried out nationwide, which saw 76 protesters detained, including 32 minors aged 14 to 17.
The minors, who were held for months and arraigned in alleged violation of the Child Rights Act, reportedly appeared malnourished and some collapsed in court during proceedings, prompting public condemnation from civil society organisations, lawyers and the Nigerian Bar Association.
President Bola Tinubu later ordered the release of the minors following widespread outrage, a move Socialist Labour said must be extended to the adults still facing trial. “Selective justice is no justice.
The government cannot correct one wrongdoing while perpetuating another,” the statement said.
The group also decried repeated delays in the Abuja 11 trial, which has suffered at least four adjournments since November 2024. Hearings failed to hold on several occasions due to the absence of the presiding judge, Justice Emeka Nwite.
Although the judge appeared on June 25 after earlier absences, another sitting reportedly stalled on October 9, prolonging what activists describe as “justice delayed.”
The statement added that the original prosecuting counsel was removed over corruption allegations, and a new prosecutor, who requested more time to familiarise himself with the case, later referred to the defendants as “criminals” who must be punished, remarks the group said underscored the political undertone of the trial.
“The Abuja 11 are not criminals. Their only ‘crime’ was to demand a better life for Nigerians. To criminalise protest is to criminalise freedom,” Socialist Labour said.
The group demanded the immediate dismissal of the charges, compensation for the detainees’ alleged unlawful detention and torture, and an end to the criminalisation of peaceful protests.
It also urged civil society organisations, labour unions, students and other pro-democracy groups to show solidarity ahead of the next hearing scheduled for December 10 at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
