Protest: Nigerian govt to arraign organisers in court

The Federal Government has filed a six-count charge against organizers of the recent hunger protest at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The organisers were accused of treason, destabilizing the country, and intimidating the president in the charges were filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Among the defendants is a British citizen, Andrew Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich.

The federal government alleged that the defendants conspired to commit a felony, including treason, between July 1 and August 4

READ ALSO:UI sends students home for three weeks over protest

Other charges are:

– Destroying property, including police stations and government buildings

– Inciting mutiny

– Inciting disaffection to the government

The protests, which took place from August 1 to 10, were in response to economic hardship experienced by citizens.

According to human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, 2,111 individuals were arrested during the protests with 1,403 remanded in prisons due to lack of legal representation.

The defendants will be arraigned in court later on Monday.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now