The Federal High Court in Abuja recently struck out treason charges against 119 #EndBadGovernance protesters. The dismissal follows significant criticism from legal experts, activists, and civil society organizations, who argued that these charges were unwarranted. Many protesters were detained following August 2024 demonstrations, where they voiced concerns over government accountability and economic conditions under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Critics of the charges claim that peaceful demonstrations cannot be classified as treasonable acts, arguing that such prosecutions aim to deter Nigerians from exercising their constitutional right to protest.
Human rights advocates, including prominent attorneys, have consistently pushed back, urging the Nigerian government to reconsider its stance and respect civil liberties. This court decision represents a significant legal victory for the protesters and underscores ongoing debates in Nigeria about civil rights and government accountability in light of public protests.
