Kehinde Fajobi
The Kano State Government has withdrawn all criminal charges against protesters involved in the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations, marking a major milestone for justice and civil liberties in Nigeria.
The Attorney General of Kano State, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, ordered the discontinuation of the charges on 27 January 2025, according to Vanguard.
The charges stemmed from the nationwide protests held between 1 and 10 August 2024, during which protesters faced accusations of conspiracy to commit treason, unlawful assembly, and public disturbance.
These allegations were described as baseless by Citizens’ Gavel, a civil rights organisation.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Rachael Adio, Communications Associate for Citizens’ Gavel, hailed the decision as a significant step toward safeguarding constitutional freedoms.
She said, “The withdrawal of these charges marks a significant victory for justice, reaffirming the rights of citizens to peacefully express their grievances without fear of persecution.”
Adio revealed that the move followed a petition by Citizens’ Gavel on 5 November 2024, urging the Attorney General to use his powers under Section 211(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution to dismiss the charges.
“Fundamental Human Rights Enforcement Applications were also filed in court, with Citizens’ Gavel providing free legal support and representation to the affected victims prior to this landmark decision,” the statement noted.
The group commended the Kano State Attorney General for his commitment to the rule of law, stating, “We remain committed to advocating for justice, protecting civil liberties, and ensuring accountability within the justice system.
“We believe that a Nigeria where the rights of the people to dissent and peacefully protest are safeguarded is possible.”