In the wake of the recent 10-day #EndBadGovernance protests, significant legal and humanitarian issues have emerged. A detailed survey covering 11 states indicates that at least 1,423 people were arrested and charged in connection with the protests, according to The Nigeria Lawyer. Many of these individuals are being held in prison custody, often without access to legal representation or bail.
These protests, led by youth groups, aimed to draw attention to Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions and widespread hunger. While initially peaceful, the demonstrations turned violent in some northern states, leading to tragic outcomes, including loss of life, destruction of property, and mass arrests of those labeled as “rioters.”
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has acknowledged difficulties in providing legal assistance to detained protesters, despite its earlier promises. The NBA is still compiling data on the number of people requiring legal aid, highlighting the crisis’s magnitude and the urgent need for support.
Kano State recorded the highest number of arrests, with 832 people detained. This includes 600 individuals accused of rioting, 76 arrested for displaying Russian flags, and others for looting and violating curfew orders. In Sokoto, 110 people were arrested, many of whom remain in custody after facing summary hearings in a mobile court.
Other states reported arrest figures as follows: Borno with 97, Katsina with 90, Bauchi with 60, Plateau with 51, Yobe with 51, Kaduna with 50, Nasarawa with 40, Niger with 23, and Zamfara with 19. The situation has drawn widespread criticism, with many Nigerians accusing the authorities of failing to distinguish between peaceful protesters and violent offenders.
Detainees have faced prolonged detention without bail, with some court dates set more than a month away. Amid rising tensions, the NBA, which had pledged to support protesters whose rights were violated, has been conspicuously absent from many courtrooms where arraignments are taking place.
Mr. Chinonye Obiagwu, SAN, Chairman of the NBA Human Rights Institute and a member of the NBA Free Legal Support Team for #EndBadGovernance protesters, stated that while the NBA has not been present in all courts, it has been actively involved in some cases in Abuja. Obiagwu mentioned that a lawsuit is being filed on behalf of protesters who were allegedly harassed and beaten by security forces at the MKO Abiola Stadium, the designated venue for the protests.
“The NBA branches were instructed to provide legal aid to anyone arrested or whose rights were violated during the protests,” Obiagwu said. “We have received numerous reports from various branches about the support provided, though the data is still being collected at the central NBA level,” he added.
Obiagwu also highlighted that several protesters, including women, faced violence from law enforcement at the MKO Abiola Stadium— the court-approved location for peaceful demonstrations. The NBA Human Rights Institute is now pursuing legal action to address these grievances and ensure the protection of the right to peaceful protest.
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