Kano withdraws charges against detained #EndBadGovernance protesters

The Kano government has withdrawn criminal charges filed against #EndBadGovernance protesters who were arrested during demonstrations in 2024.

The protesters had been accused of conspiracy to commit treason, unlawful assembly, public disturbance, and rioting following nationwide protests in August 2024.

The 10-day demonstrations were sparked by economic hardship and rising inflation, but violence erupted in some northern states including Kano, where private and public properties were looted and destroyed.

Some demonstrators were seen waving Russian flags in cities such as Abuja, Kano, and Plateau, adding to tensions.

According to Amnesty International, at least 24 protesters were killed across the country, and 1,200 were arrested.

In November 2024, Citizens’ Gavel, a civic tech organisation advocating for improved justice delivery, petitioned the Kano State Attorney General to discontinue the prosecution of 13 protesters.

The organisation highlighted their detention in poor conditions at the Kurmawa and Goron Dutse Correctional Centres in Kano.

🚨 #EndBadGovernance UPDATE: Our legal team found 13 protesters living in severe conditions detained in Kurmawa & Goron-Dutse prisons,Kano State. We have now formally petitioned the Attorney General of Kano State to exercise his powers under Section 211(1)(c) of the Constitution. pic.twitter.com/rJMIVWmRju

— #Tech4Justice (@citizen_gavel) November 12, 2024

Providing an update on the case in a statement on Tuesday, the organisation said the Kano AG has ordered the withdrawal of the criminal charges against the protesters.

“After over 160 days of unlawful detention and tireless efforts of our legal team, we are happy to share that the Honourable Attorney General of Kano State, through the Director of Public Prosecution, has officially ordered the discontinuance and withdrawal of all criminal charges against all #EndBadGovernance protesters detained in Kano State,” the organisation said.