Protesters in Lagos, dressed in black, gathered at the Ikeja Under Bridge today to demand the release of those still facing treasonable felony charges following their arrest during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August. The demonstrators condemned the continued prosecution as undemocratic.
Mr. Hassan Soweto, a coordinator of the #EndBadGovernance protest, told Radio Now’s Oluwatosin Ejalonibu that the detentions undermine democratic values and called on President Tinubu to intervene for their release.
Mr Soweto said, “there is a precedent for this. One hundred and forty protesters were let go. One hundred and forty protesters, the charges against them, charges against this group are the same. Since a precedent has been made, the protesters who have been charged with the same offences, have had those charges against them dropped and they have been discharged, then why not do the same? There is a precedent has been made. All we are just saying is that extend it to the remaining protesters. It doesn’t make any sense. Give a pardon to the protesters.
And then you continue to trash them.”
Protesters in Lagos, who had gathered under the Ikeja under-bridge, later moved to the Lagos State High Court to submit a petition calling for the release of those still in detention and facing charges of treason. The petition was received by Assistant Chief Registrar, Ademola Adekeye, who assured the protesters that it would be forwarded to the State Chief Justice.
This demonstration follows President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent intervention, which saw the release of 114 protesters, including minors, who were facing prosecution. The president’s action came after a public outcry sparked by videos of the minors appearing in court.
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