The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to drop all charges against individuals involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests.
In a statement released on Monday, Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma criticized the arrests of the protesters, labeling them as illegal and a misuse of authority.
RULAAC stated, “Law enforcement agencies have misused legal procedures and violated protections against discretionary power abuse. Many participants in the August 2024 protests faced arbitrary detentions without proper identification or justification, resembling abductions more than lawful arrests. Numerous individuals were held incommunicado, deprived of access to family, legal counsel, and medical care.”
The organization further highlighted that the detained protesters are being held in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions at various police stations.
“Many detainees at the NPF-IRT facility in Abuja, previously associated with the disbanded SARS, have reported severe skin infections, poor nutrition, and lack of adequate medical attention, leading to starvation. Many do not deserve to be detained at all. The adverse conditions and exposure to hardened criminals can have lasting negative effects on young, innocent individuals.”
RULAAC emphasized that families of the detainees are often left uninformed about their loved ones’ status, exacerbating their distress. This situation, they argue, is a clear violation of the due process rights outlined in the Police Act 2020.
The group criticized the judiciary for its role in facilitating prolonged detentions by approving dubious requests from law enforcement. When charges are made, bail conditions are often so stringent that they make release nearly impossible.
“To prevent the misuse of laws, including counterterrorism statutes against peaceful protesters, the judiciary must scrutinize the validity of charges. Judges should only grant detention extensions when compelling reasons are presented.”
RULAAC urged judges to reject unfounded applications for extended detention and to set bail terms that are fair and manageable for defendants. This approach could help alleviate overcrowding in jails and uphold the presumption of innocence.
By exercising discretion judiciously, the judiciary can build trust in the legal system and affirm its commitment to human rights and justice. Active oversight by judges can also enhance accountability within law enforcement, reducing corruption and abuse in the justice system.
In light of these concerns, RULAAC has made several demands to the Tinubu administration:
- Release all individuals detained for peaceful protest participation.
- Drop all charges of terrorism and other baseless accusations against the protesters.
- Stop harassing citizens exercising their constitutional rights.
- Commit to upholding democratic values and practices.
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