On Tuesday, November 5, the Nigerian judiciary dismissed all charges against 119 protesters, bringing relief to activists and supporters across the country. The decision followed a request from the Attorney General of the Federation’s counsel, M.D. Abubakar, to discontinue the case, which had included serious allegations such as treason felony and incitement to mutiny.
The case involved two groups of defendants, initially arraigned on November 1. The first batch included 76 individuals, among them 32 minors, while the second batch comprised 43 additional protesters. Their legal battle had garnered widespread public interest and raised questions about the treatment of demonstrators in Nigeria.
Presiding over the case, Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted the Attorney General’s request to withdraw, leading to the complete dismissal of all charges against the protesters. The decision has been widely hailed as an affirmation of Nigerians’ rights to peaceful assembly, with supporters viewing it as a milestone in the protection of civil liberties.
“This ruling is a testament to the resilience of those fighting for accountability and justice in our governance,” a representative of the protesters stated, expressing optimism about the future of activism in Nigeria.
The verdict is seen by many as a hopeful signal for activists across the nation, underscoring the critical importance of protecting citizens’ rights to freely express their concerns without fear of retaliation or criminalization.
