The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has launched free legal services for indigent protesters facing prosecution for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests.
The association's president, Afam Osigwe, said the pro bono support programme would ensure that protesters facing trial are treated fairly by the country's criminal justice system.
Mr Osigwe stated this in a post on his verified X account on Wednesday morning, explaining that the NBA would monitor the remaining processing of the detained protesters.
“I have instructed chapters of the Nigerian Bar Association to monitor the trials of #EndBadGovernance protesters. I have also launched a pro bono support initiative for protesters who lack legal representation,” he said.
He said the association's Civil Liberties Committee (NBA-CLC) is also tasked with communicating closely with the presidents and Human Rights Committees of NBA branches in regions where protesters are currently being prosecuted.
“This ensures that no defendant suffers injustice. The NBA legal team will continue to monitor the court proceedings to ensure that trials are conducted in strict accordance with due process, safeguarding the legal rights of all defendants.
“The Nigerian Bar Association’s legal teams are in court and will continue to monitor proceedings to ensure that the rule of law is upheld, the human rights of the accused are protected and justice is done,” he added.
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Trial of the protesters
President Bola Tinubu's administration has targeted many of the #EndBadGovernance protesters in a sweeping crackdown that included declaring a Briton, Andrew Wynne, wanted.
On Monday, the government formally charged 10 Nigerians who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest in Abuja, Kano, Kaduna and other states. Part of the charges against them was that they collaborated with Wynee, 70, “with the intent to destabilise Nigeria” and that they “called on the military to take over the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu”. They were also accused of conspiring with Wynee to plot a war against the Nigerian state.
Judge Emeka Nwite ordered the 10 defendants to be remanded in custody until September 11 for a decision on their bail application.
Police also declared Wynne wanted on Monday and obtained an arrest warrant for him from the same judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
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On August 22, the judge ordered the imprisonment for two months of 75 protesters, including at least 28 minors, pending police investigations into alleged terrorism-related crimes.
Many Nigerians took part in the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations in major cities across the country from August 1 to 10 to protest against economic hardships attributable to President Tinubu's economic policies.