Just In: Nigeria Govt Slams Treason Charges On 10 #EndBadGovernance Protesters

Nigeria Govt Slams Charges On 10 Protesters

The Federal Government of Nigeria has slammed charges on some participants of the just concluded #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria potests in Nigeria.

The six charges were filed at a Federal High Court in the Abuja Division on Friday, August 30, 2024.

They include felony and treasonable charges, offences contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

Neusroom learn that the charges were filed against 10 protesters listed as Defendants, whose identities are revealed thus: Abdulsalam Zubairu, male, 37 years; Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi (aka Yomi), male, 34 years; Suleiman Yakubu, male, 28 years; Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, male, 50 years; Angel Love Innocent, female, 51 years; Buhari Lawal, male, 21 years; Mosiu Sadiq, male, 28 years; Bashir Bello (aka Murtala), male, 51 years; Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye (aka Lenin), male, 28 years and; Nuradeen Khamis, male, 47 years.

The sole complainants are the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

A look into the charges reveal that the NPF allege that the aforementioned protesters aimed to remove President Tinubu from office by inciting violence and unrest.

“Count One – That you the above-named defendants, along with others including Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), a British citizen, male, age unspecified, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, male, Comrade Musa Abdullahi, male, and others now at large, are accused of conspiring between July 1, 2024, and August 4, 2024, at Karshi, Abuja FCT, within the jurisdiction of this court, with the intent to destabilize Nigeria by committing felony to wit: treason. This offense is contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

“Count Two – The same individuals and others, including Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), a British citizen, male, 70 years, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, male, and Comrade Musa Abdullahi, male, now at large, between July 1, 2024, and August 4, 2024, at Karshi, Abuja FCT, within the jurisdiction of this court, are accused of acting in concert with the intent to destabilize Nigeria by inciting mutiny. This offense is contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

“Count Three – The accused, along with Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), male, 70 years, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, male, and Comrade Musa Abdullahi, male, now at large, between July 1, 2024, and August 10, 2024, in Abuja FCT, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe, are accused of acting in concert to levy war against the state with intent to intimidate or overawe the President by attacking and injuring police officers and burning police stations, the High Court Complex, NCC Complex, Kano Printing Press, Government House Kano, Kaduna Investment and Promotions Agency office, NURTW office, and several other buildings. This offense is contrary to Section 410 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN.

“Count Four – The accused, along with Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), male, 70 years, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, male, and Comrade Musa Abdullahi, male, now at large, between July 1, 2024, and August 10, 2024, in Nyanya, Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Katsina, and other states within the jurisdiction of this court, are accused of inciting mutiny by calling on the military to take over the government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by chanting “Tinubu must go” and “soja muskeso” (meaning “it is the military we want”), while rioting and disturbing public peace. This offense is contrary to Section 413 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN.

“Count Five – The accused, along with Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), male, 70 years, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, male, and Comrade Musa Abdullahi, male, now at large, between July 1, 2024, and August 10, 2024, in Abuja FCT, Jos, Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Katsina, and other states within the jurisdiction of this court, are accused of inciting public disturbance and disaffection towards the government by carrying placards with inscriptions like “end bad government” to incite public unrest. This offense is contrary to Section 416 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN.

“Count Six – The accused, along with Andrew Martin Wynne (aka Andrew Povich), male, 70 years, Lucky Ehis Obiyan, male, and Comrade Musa Abdullahi, male, now at large, between July 1, 2024, and August 10, 2024, in Abuja FCT, Jos, Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, and Katsina, are accused of conspiring with the intent to destabilize Nigeria and remove the President by unconstitutional means. They allegedly mobilized their members to force their way into Abacha Army Barracks, Government House Kano, and destroyed the High Court, Printing Press, and NCC Complexes in Kano,” the six charges read.

The mass trial of these protesters is set to begin on Monday, September 2, 2024 in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and Borno courts.

Protesters that partook in the demonstrations in Abuja and were detained will be tried in Justice Emeka Nwite’s court.

Neusroom learnt that human rights lawyer and activist, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), will head a team of lawyers to defend the protesters.

Following the arrests and detainments that have followed the protests, human rights groups like Amnesty International Nigeria and many other have kicked against the repression of protesters and their harsh treatment.

A Coalition group in the U.S recently lent their voice to the matter, writing the Nigerian Embassy to see that the deatined protesters regain freedom.