The Principal of Stars of Nations Schools, Helen Batubo, who was arrested by the Nigerian police following a late-night raid on her home, has been released. Her freedom comes after interventions by lawyers and human rights advocates.
On August 21, SaharaReporters revealed that Helen’s residence at Serenity Estate, Karshi, Nasarawa State, was raided due to her involvement in the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
“Helen, one of the protesters arrested at her home during the night, has been freed. We are still working towards the release of the other comrades,” a source informed SaharaReporters on Thursday.
Meanwhile, it was reported that the remaining detainees held at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) are scheduled to be charged in court on Friday.
Earlier in the week, SaharaReporters disclosed that IRT operatives had arrested Adeyemi Abayomi Abiodun, an employee of Mr. Drew Povey, who operates Iva Valley Bookshop at the Labour House (NLC Headquarters) in Abuja. Abiodun was reportedly taken into custody around 6 pm on Monday.
This follows an August 21 report that the police had raided Drew Povey’s home in connection with the protests and allegations of terrorism financing. On the same day, SaharaReporters detailed a similar raid on the home of Helen Batubo, who is related to Mr. Povey.
The school principal had been summoned by the IRT over accusations of “criminal conspiracy, terrorism financing, treasonable felony, subversion, and cybercrime.”
In related news, it was reported that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted a secret 60-day detention extension for 124 alleged protesters, including at least 22 minors. The minors, aged between 14 and 17, were among those arrested for their involvement in the protests.
Justice Nwite’s decision was made in response to separate ex-parte motions filed by police counsel Ibrahim Mohammed, allowing the continued detention of the minors while investigations are completed.
Meanwhile, two prominent human rights activists and #EndBadGovernance protesters, Michael Adaramoye (commonly known as Michael Lenin) and Mosiu Sodiq, have been in detention for over three weeks under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. Reports indicate that they are in urgent need of medical attention.
Human rights advocate Francis Nwapa reported on Monday that the activists, who were arrested on August 5 during nationwide hunger protests, have been subjected to torture and are being held in deplorable conditions. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Nwapa wrote, “21 days in detention without trial. Tortured, handcuffed for days & kept in deplorable condition. Michael Adaramoye Lenin, Sodiq Mosiu are sick and require urgent medical care.”
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