Abuja, Nigeria – The ongoing legal proceedings against the “Abuja 10” have sparked outrage, with human rights groups and activists demanding the dismissal of treason charges filed against them. The group, who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protests, are set to appear before the Federal High Court again on Friday, 27th September, to face what many are calling baseless accusations.
The protests, which initially called for an end to bad governance and the disbandment of the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), led to the detention of numerous individuals across Nigeria. The “Abuja 10” are among those detained for exercising their constitutional right to protest. Since their arrest, they have faced invasive actions from authorities, including the ransacking of homes and harassment of family members. Police have reportedly seized personal belongings, including socialist literature and items from the Iva Valley Books bookshop—actions that critics say are intended to fabricate evidence of treason.
One of the detainees, Daniel Akande, was arrested on September 1st while attending church. He has been held for nearly four weeks at the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) offices in Abuja without being charged in court, a direct violation of the 48-hour limit stipulated by the Nigerian Constitution.
Over 100 other detainees, held in squalid conditions at the IRT offices, are also awaiting justice, with some having been detained for as long as nine years. Many other individuals who were arrested during or after the #EndSARS protests remain in police custody, despite a lack of evidence.
The arrests have been described as part of a wider campaign to silence dissent against the government. In a joint statement, Dr. James Uanhoro and Dr. Izielen Agbon condemned the persecution of protesters as a tactic to intimidate those challenging the regime of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“We call for the immediate dismissal of all charges against the Abuja 10 and others who were detained during the August protests or the #EndSARS movement,” the statement read. “These charges are unfounded, and this charade must end to allow these individuals to live in peace.”
The joint statement also calls for a show of solidarity on October 1st, dubbed the “National Day of Survival,” urging citizens to join in demanding an end to anti-poor policies and freedom for political prisoners.
With mounting pressure on the courts, the case has become a significant touchpoint for broader issues of justice, human rights, and governance in Nigeria. Many now await the court’s next move, with the clear message that justice delayed is justice denied.
