The Nigerian police need to release the at least 1,000 citizens arrested in connection with the #EndBadGovernance protests.
Development Diaries reports that the protesters are currently in prison custody, according to data from Amnesty International.
The rights organisation revealed that while over 1,000 protesters have been remanded nationwide, 441 people were arraigned in Kano State, in what is set out to be an unfair trial based on trumped-up charges.
According to our earlier report, the police had confirmed that by the first day of the protests, they had arrested nearly 700 protesters across the country
First of all, the arrest of protesters is in blatant disregard for the fundamental rights of Nigerian citizens, is an affront to democracy, and a disregard of the 1999 constitution (as amended).
Sections 39 and 40 of the constitution guarantee the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. Also, in Section 35 of the constitution, any person who is arrested by a law enforcement agency for allegedly committing a crime must be brought before a court no later than 48 hours.
The Nigerian police, by arresting these protesters, have acted contrary to these constitutional provisions, undermining the very principles upon which our nation was founded.
The actions of the police also raise serious concerns about the abuse of power and the erosion of civil liberties in the country.
Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of any democratic society, allowing citizens to express their dissatisfaction with government policies without fear of intimidation or reprisal.
The arrest of peaceful protesters not only contravenes Nigeria’s constitution but also violates international human rights standards to which Nigeria is a signatory, hence the continued detention of these individuals is a grave injustice and an attempt to silence the voices of concerned citizens demanding better governance.
Development Diaries therefore joins Amnesty International in calling on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately order the release of all detained protesters without conditions.
We also urge the police to uphold the rights of all Nigerians to peaceful assembly and expression, as enshrined in the 1999 constitution, as the protection of civil liberties is essential to maintaining the rule of law and upholding the democratic values of the country.
