By Cheta Enyoghasi
Mr Deji Adeyanju, one of the lawyers of protesters has expressed pain and sadness over the charge on the #EndBadGovernance protesters while bandits are allowed to walk freely with no charges.
This comes after the a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the remand of some #EndBadGovernance protesters at the Kuje Medium Correctional Centre after being charged with treason.
Justice Emeka Nwite, ordered the remand pending the hearing and ruling on their bail application, slated for September 11, 2024.
Speaking with journalists, Adeyanju expressed his sadness over the charges, stating that despite calls for the Tinubu-led government to allow the protesters to go unconditionally, the government continued to charge those who expressed their feelings about the country’s situation.
He questioned how freedom of assembly can be criminalized, as it is a constitutionally guaranteed right that has been re-echoed by the courts
In his words: “It is really sad that peaceful protesters are being charged and no bandit is being charged, and that is our dismay and unbelief.
“The government yesterday arrested another protester in church, and they called him an armed robber because that was the only ground they could take him away.
“It is very sad that we have degenerated to this level as a nation. It is really sad.”
“How can somebody criminalize freedom of assembly? It is a constitutionally guaranteed right that has been re-echoed severally by the courts. So it is unfortunate.”
“It is just that the government has shown that of a truth they are misguided, they are not interested in doing the right thing, and it is really sad”.
