CSOs petition NHRC, demand release of detained #EndBadGovernance protesters

Some civil society organisations (CSOs) have petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) over the arrest and detention of persons who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest.

The petition was submitted on Thursday at the NHRC office in Ikeja, Lagos state capital.

Speaking at the NHRC office, Hassan Soweto, an activist, said the CSOs are demanding the release of Adaramoye Michael Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq, and nine other persons, who were arrested and locked up over a month ago.

Soweto said the only offense committed by the detained protesters was demanding an end to bad governance in the country but were arraigned for treason.

The activists claimed that 114 other protesters, including children aged 14 to 17, were taken to the  juvenile correctional centers over the August protest.

The petition was submitted to Lucas Koyejo, director of NHRC Lagos zone, by Mary Peluola, convener of Womanifesto.

Speaking after receiving the petition, Koyejo said the NHRC is aware of the plights of the detainees, adding that the commission acknowledges the right of Nigerians to peaceful protest.

The director said the petition will be submitted to Tony Ojukwu, NHRC executive secretary, in Abuja.

“We pray the National Human Rights Commission to do the following: Communicate clearly to the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Inspector General of Police that the continued sham treason trial of Adaramoye Michael Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq, Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, Angel Love Innocent, and the other Nigerian citizens, including minors, violates Nigeria’s national and international commitments,” part of the petition reads.

“Ensure that those citizens that the commission has identified as being arrested for protesting are released. In addition, the attack on civic actors like the NLC President, SERAP, TIB, and activists through intimidation, police invitations, and freezing of bank accounts should be stopped.

“Demand a halt to illegal surveillance, tracking, and bugging of phones and digital devices belonging to activists, trade unionists, and journalists.

“Institute an independent and democratic public probe panel to look into the immediate and remote causes of the violence that broke out during the protest in some parts of the country to determine what roles non-state actors, as well as state actors like the DSS, the police, and other security agencies, may have played in infiltrating protests to precipitate violence to justify repression.”

Earlier on Wednesday, a federal high court in Abuja granted bail to 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters standing trial for alleged terrorism.