Ten individuals who participated in last month’s widespread protests across Nigeria have been charged with treason and other serious offenses at the federal high court in Abuja, the nation’s capital. All of the accused entered not guilty pleas when they appeared in court on Monday.
The demonstrations, dubbed “10 days of rage,” were organized in response to the severe economic hardships facing many Nigerians. The protests, which began on August 1, turned violent in some areas as demonstrators clashed with security forces. Official police reports indicate at least seven deaths, while rights groups claim the death toll reached 23. Nearly 700 arrests were made during the unrest.
In addition to treason, the defendants face charges of destroying public property and injuring police officers. The charge sheet accuses them of collaborating with a British citizen “to destabilise Nigeria by calling on the military to take over government from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” They allegedly shouted slogans such as “Tinubu must go, it is soldiers we want.”
Despite an appeal for bail, citing that the accused had already been detained for a month, the court ruled that they would remain in custody. Amnesty International has criticized the legal proceedings, labeling the trial “a sham” and calling for investigations into the killings that occurred during the protests.
The demonstrations, organized through social media, were partly inspired by recent successful protests in Kenya that forced the government to abandon plans for tax increases. Protesters in Nigeria chanted slogans like “we are hungry” and “end bad governance,” reflecting widespread discontent with the country’s economic situation.
Nigeria is currently experiencing its worst economic crisis in a generation, with annual inflation exceeding 30%. Food prices have risen even more dramatically; for example, in Lagos, the country’s commercial hub, the cost of yams, a staple food, has nearly quadrupled compared to last year.
In response to the unrest, curfews were imposed in some parts of the country. Authorities claimed that the protests had been “hijacked by thugs” who engaged in widespread looting and property destruction.
The case has drawn international attention and raised concerns about freedom of expression and the right to peaceful protest in Nigeria. As the legal proceedings continue, observers will be closely watching for any developments that could impact civil liberties and political stability in Africa’s most populous nation.
