ACF slams treason trial of EndBadGovernance protesters

The Arewa Consultative Forum has strongly condemned the ongoing treason trial of protesters from the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests, labelling it a “sham trial” and a “show of shame.”

The Punch reports that the protesters, many of whom are minors, are being tried for treason and other offences, with bail set at an unaffordable ₦10 million each, alongside stringent conditions.

According to the ACF, the trial is a blatant attempt to intimidate and silence citizens from exercising their constitutional rights to protest and express grievances.

The forum views the protesters as victims of Nigeria’s criminal justice system and a mindless bureaucracy.

Consequently, the ACF has called on the Federal Government to immediately halt the detention and trial, release the protesters, and return them to their families unharmed.

The Northern body also demanded an investigation into the circumstances leading to the prolonged detention of the protesters, who have been held for over three months—well beyond the constitutional 24-hour limit.

The forum further demanded that the Federal Government provide financial compensation to the protesters for their unnecessary and unjustified detention, as well as medical examination, treatment, and professional psychological evaluation and counselling.

In a statement released on Sunday by ACF National Publicity Secretary, Tukur Muhammad-Baba, in Kaduna, the forum emphasised that the treatment of the protesters constitutes a callous abuse of power by a government that should be focused on improving citizens’ standards of living.

“The ACF joins other Nigerians, along with national and international human rights groups, in strongly condemning this charade of a trial and the use of strong-arm tactics reminiscent of authoritarian and intolerant regimes,” the statement said.

Muhammad-Baba noted that the #EndBadGovernance protests reflect the growing discontent among Nigerians over soaring inflation, worsening insecurity, ineffective governance, and rising fuel prices.

The protests coincide with local elections, adding pressure on the government to demonstrate a genuine commitment to addressing citizens’ concerns in a tangible, meaningful way.

As Nigeria celebrates 25 years of uninterrupted democracy, a growing number of citizens feel disillusioned with the system, viewing it as “civil rule” rather than true democratic “governance.”

The ACF’s statement serves as a reminder that the government must prioritise transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance to address the underlying causes of unrest and stabilise the political landscape