The nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, held from August 1 to August 10, 2024, were organized by Nigerian youth groups to address the country’s worsening economicHundreds of Protesters Remain in Detention After #EndBadGovernance Demonstrations situation and rampant poverty. The protests took place across multiple states, with participants rallying against bad governance, economic hardship, and rising inflation.
While the protests were mostly peaceful in major cities like Lagos and Abuja, many demonstrations in the northern parts of Nigeria took a violent turn, leading to mass arrests.
As of now, over 1,400 protesters are still in detention across 11 states, with many being denied legal representation and bail. Police across states such as Kano, Sokoto, Plateau, and Katsina have arrested hundreds of people, charging them with crimes such as conspiracy, rioting, theft, and incitement of violence.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had previously vowed to offer legal aid to protesters whose rights were violated, but reports suggest that many arrested protesters are still awaiting trial without adequate legal support.
Kano State recorded the highest number of arrests, with 832 protesters detained. Of these, none have been granted bail, and all are being held in prison until their court hearings. Similarly, in Plateau State, 51 protesters were arrested and remanded without legal representation. Their court cases have been adjourned for at least another month, meaning they will remain in custody for the foreseeable future.
In Katsina State, out of the 120 protesters arrested, only 30 have been released on bail, while the remaining detainees are awaiting further legal proceedings. Lawyers representing some of the protesters are optimistic that the rest will eventually be freed.
Sokoto State also saw mass detentions, with 110 protesters still held in correctional centers. Despite mobile courts processing some of the cases, many protesters are languishing in prison without any clear indication of when their trials will proceed.
The situation remains tense as the NBA continues to struggle with providing adequate legal assistance. According to Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu, Chairman of the NBA Human Rights Institute, a legal suit is being prepared on behalf of protesters who were harassed and brutalized by security forces during the protests in Abuja. He said, “The NBA Human Rights Institute intervened, and some of the molested protesters are filing a suit to challenge the denial of their right to peaceful protests.”
While some states have seen peaceful demonstrations, in the northern regions, the protests often escalated into violent confrontations with the police. Hoodlums took advantage of the chaos, leading to the looting and destruction of public and private property in states like Kano, Bauchi, and Sokoto.
In Borno State, for example, protesters vandalized the World Food Programme’s warehouse and caused widespread damage to public infrastructure.
