Nigeria Charges 10 Protesters with Treason
On Monday, Nigeria charged ten individuals with treason and conspiring to incite a military mutiny following last month’s widespread protests against the country’s worsening cost of living crisis. Nigeria Charges 10 Protesters with Treason
The demonstrations saw thousands of citizens flood the streets, and security forces responded with a brutal crackdown.
Amnesty International reported that at least 13 people were killed during the unrest, though security forces denied using lethal force.
The accused, who appeared in the Abuja Federal High Court, pleaded not guilty to the charges. If convicted, they could face the death penalty, according to human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong.
State prosecutors, in documents reviewed by Reuters, claimed that the protesters aimed to destabilize the nation and “conspired together to commit a felony to wit, treason.”
In addition to the treason charges, prosecutors also brought five other accusations under Nigeria’s penal code, including inciting the military to mutiny, arson of government buildings, and disturbing public peace.
The defense lawyers sought bail for the accused, but the state opposed it. The court is set to rule on the bail request on September 11, when the trial is expected to begin.
Amnesty International called for the unconditional release of all individuals detained during the protests, describing the charges as a means to unlawfully justify their detention.
“These are blatantly trumped-up charges that must be immediately withdrawn,” stated Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International Nigeria’s director.
The protests erupted as Nigerians increasingly blame economic hardships on the policies of President Bola Tinubu, who took office in May 2023.
These hardships have been exacerbated by double-digit inflation, currency devaluation, and rising petrol and electricity costs.
