Femi Falana, a prominent human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has criticized the rising use of treason charges against protesters in Nigeria.
Falana, who spoke at a two-day international conference on anti-corruption and climate change in Abuja on Tuesday, condemned these charges.
On Monday, the Federal Government charged 10 leaders and organizers of the #EndBadGovernance protest, which occurred from August 1 to 10, 2024. The protesters appeared before Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, facing treason charges among other allegations.
The defendants—Michael Adaramoye (also known as Lenin), Adeyemi Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaoluwa Simon, Angel Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nuradeen Khamis, and Abdulsalam Zubairu—pleaded not guilty to the six-count indictment filed by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.
The charges, outlined in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024, include treason, attempts to destabilize the country, intimidation of the President, and the destruction of government property in Kano.
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The #EndBadGovernance protests, which drew significant attention in August, were part of a broader movement demanding greater accountability and reforms in Nigeria’s governance.
Falana expressed grave concerns about what he termed the “tribalisation” of treason, questioning the logic behind charging citizens with such a serious offense simply for protesting.
“I have been under pressure in the last 24 hours from Nigeria and abroad. People are wondering why the charge of treason is being tribalised in our country. How can you say that because people protested, they are being charged with treason?” Falana asked.
Assuring the public that there is no reason for alarm, Falana revealed that he has taken up the case and plans to advise President Bola Tinubu to instruct the police to withdraw the charges.
“All those who have expressed concern, do not be bothered; there is no cause for alarm. We are taking up the case, and we are going to advise the government, particularly the President, to direct the police to withdraw the charge. And that advice is also in the interest of the government because a treason charge is not like a charge of stealing,” Falana said.
He highlighted his experience defending treason cases, noting that this would be his fifth such case. “In the four previous cases, the government was compelled to withdraw the charges because we turned the case into the trial of the government,” Falana added.
He warned that misuse of treason charges could have negative repercussions for the government, citing past experiences as evidence.
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