Several state Police Commands in the northern part of the country have begun the prosecution of arrested protesters during the 10-day #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria nationwide protest.
While the protests were relatively peaceful in the South, it turned violent in the North with several lives lost, property worth billions of naira destroyed, leading to the declaration of curfew in no fewer than five states.
The protests, which held from August 1-10, was against the rising cost of living, which has been fueled by fuel subsidy removal, surging inflation at a 28-year high and government economic policies that pushed the naira to a record low against the dollar.
At least 17 persons were reportedly killed in Abuja, Kano, Niger, Borno, Kaduna and Jigawa, and several others injured on the opening day of the protest with Amnesty International condemning the use of deadly action against the protesters and accusing the security operatives of killing at least 21 protesters.
Police arrested protesters, some of whom waved the Russian flag, in Kano, Kaduna, Gombe, Katsina, Yobe, Bauchi, Borno and Jigawa as the demonstrations assumed a violent dimension, announcing that they would be duly prosecuted.
Findings by our correspondents show that at least 1,135 arrested persons during the protest would be charged to court beginning from Monday (today).
On Sunday, the Yobe State Command said it would arraign 108 persons, who were arrested for various offences, including violating the imposed curfew during the hunger protest.
DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, Police Public Relations Officer, Yobe Command, stated that the apprehended suspects would be brought before the court to face charges related to their alleged involvements in the protests.
Many of the accused individuals, who were first arraigned August 8, denied the charges against them, setting the stage for further legal proceedings on Monday (today), Abdulkarim added.
“Monday, August 12, 2024 has been earmarked for the continuation of the case, where those facing charges will have the opportunity to either accept or contest the allegations.
“Should they choose to accept the charges, they will undergo a summary trial presided over by a judge at the Magistrate Court in Damaturu, Yobe State.”
In Kano, a total of 632 persons arrested for alleged destruction of property during the anti-hunger protest in the state and were remanded by a Kano State Mobile Court since last Tuesday will appear in court on August 19, The learnt.
Several public and private facilities, including the Kano State Printing Press, Nigerian Communications Commission, Kano State High Court and a number of vehicles parked within the premises were vandalised and looted.
