By Heavy security forces, including personnel from the Nigerian Army, police, and Department of State Services (DSS), were deployed Monday to the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, in anticipation of a possible trial of #EndBadGovernance protest leaders.
The security buildup comes in response to plans by the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement, a human rights and pro-democracy organization, to occupy the court premises in solidarity with detained protesters.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing at least 30 security vehicles and five military Armoured Personnel Carriers stationed around the court. Officers in both uniform and plainclothes were deployed inside and outside the premises.
Among the protest leaders reportedly still in detention are Michael Adaramoye (also known as Michael Lenin), Mosiu Sodiq, Angel, and Opaoluwa. They were arrested for participating in protests demanding good governance and an end to hunger.
The TIB Movement had called for a solidarity gathering at the court starting at 7 a.m. However, upon arrival, activists found that the case was not listed on the cause lists for either Court 9 or Court 10, both of which are vacation courts.
An anonymous court insider confirmed that a case would be heard in Court 10 but was unsure of its nature, fueling speculation about a possible secret trial.
Omole Ibukun, an activist present at the court, condemned the heavy military presence as undemocratic. “We came to the court today because we heard that some of the protesters who were arrested from the North were brought to Abuja alongside Michael Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq, Angel Opeoluwa and others,” Ibukun said.
Ibukun added that lawyers for the detained activists had been informed that the arraignment was postponed. However, he suggested that the security presence indicated a possible secret trial might still occur.
The TIB Movement criticized the Nigeria Police Force for the reported postponement of the arraignment. The group maintains that protest is not a crime and is protected under the Nigerian constitution.
The situation has raised concerns about judicial transparency and the treatment of protesters in Nigeria. Human rights organizations continue to call for the immediate release of the detained activists and for open and fair legal proceedings.
As of Monday afternoon, Nigerian authorities had not issued an official statement regarding the court proceedings or the status of the detained protest leaders.
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which began earlier this month, have focused on issues of corruption, economic hardship, and insecurity in Nigeria. The government’s response to these demonstrations has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny.
Source: Saharareporters.com
