Over 100 protesters remain in custody without charges being filed, despite promises to bring them before a court. One of the protesters’ lawyers, Mr. Deji Adeyanju, revealed in an interview with Saturday Vanguard that this is the fourth time the police have failed to arraign the protesters, who were detained following a planned protest on August 1.
Adeyanju expressed frustration with the ongoing detention, suggesting that the police have no valid charges to press against the protesters. He accused the authorities of attempting to silence the protesters and prevent future demonstrations. “The police do not want to charge them because they have nothing on them but they just want to keep them perpetually,” he said.
Adeyanju also announced that the legal team representing the protesters would take further action. “We are going to sue them on Monday. They are punishing the protesters for protesting,” he said, emphasizing that if the authorities had legitimate charges, they would have filed them by now.
The lawyer called on international organizations to step in, urging them to reconsider any aid they provide to Nigeria’s security agencies if human rights abuses continue. He also appealed to Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Lateef Fagbemi, to intervene and push for the release of the detained protesters, emphasizing the importance of upholding constitutional rights.
“We are also charging the security agencies that should face the criminal gangs terrorizing the country and leave protesters alone,” Adeyanju added.
