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September 8, 2024
By mobilising this picket, the organisation aims to amplify the voices of the detained protesters and hold the government accountable for upholding their constitutional rights.
A civil society organisation, Socialist Labour (SL), has declared its intention to stage a peaceful protest outside the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday.
The primary objective of this demonstration is to demand that the administration of President Bola Tinubu unconditionally drop all pending charges levied against the detained #EndBadGovernance protesters.
Furthermore, the Socialist Labour group is steadfastly calling for the immediate and unconditional release of these individuals, who have been incarcerated for exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
By mobilising this picket, the organisation aims to amplify the voices of the detained protesters and hold the government accountable for upholding their constitutional rights.
Through this assertive action, Socialist Labour seeks to condemn the unjust detention of #EndBadGovernance protesters, demand the unconditional withdrawal of all charges filed against them and secure their immediate and unconditional release from custody.
The group made this known in a statement issued on Sunday titled, ‘Show Up to Defend Our Comrades —The Regime’s Repression Will Not Silence Us!’ and signed by its leaders, Dr. James Uanhoro, and Dr. Izielen Agbon.
The Socialist Labour said, “Comrades Eleojo Opaluwa, Michael Lenin, Angel Innocent, Mosiu Sodiq, Adeyemi Abayomi, and five others arrested for simply waving flags in Kano (Suleiman Yakubu, Buhari Lawal, Bashir Bello [Murtala], Nuradeen Khamis, Abdulsalam Zubairu) will face a bail hearing at 9 am Wednesday, 11th September, at the Federal High Court, Shehu Shagari Express Way, 1002 First Ave, Central Business District, Abuja.
“The Tinubu regime has unjustly detained these comrades for standing up against the hunger and suffering the government has inflicted on us all.
“Just this week, the regime has once again increased fuel prices, further pushing the masses into further hunger and poverty, while attempting to crush any opposition through arrests and intimidation.
“Our comrades are innocent—they have only fought for the rights of the people. Their detention is an effort to silence all of us who resist these anti-poor policies.
“We must stand behind them. If we do not show up for our comrades, who will? When the regime comes for us, who will show up for us? Now is the time for solidarity.”
The group accused Tinubu regime of intending to “deepen its repression and worsen the suffering of the masses— unless we stop them”.
“By coming together, we send a clear message: arrests will not silence our movement,” it said.
In its call for the protest, the group said, “Join us at 8am this Wednesday, 11th September. NB: Court begins to sit at 9am.
“Demand the immediate release of our comrades on their self-recognisance. We reject exorbitant bail conditions. Drop the charges against them — they are innocent.
“Peaceful protest should be a fundamental right – it is not treason.
“Location: Federal High Court, Shehu Shagari Express Way, 1002 First Ave, Central Business District, Abuja.
“Let’s show our comrades that they have not been forgotten and they are not alone. We must make it clear to the regime that no amount of arrests will break our resolve.
“Our resistance will continue. We will not stop until this government understands it exists to serve the people, not the IMF and World Bank.
“Free Our Comrades Now! Together, we are stronger. Let’s show up and defend our comrades.”
SaharaReporters previously reported that Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had ordered that 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters should be remanded.
He ordered that nine should be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre till September 11 for trial and ruling on their bail applications.
Justice Nwite also ordered that the only female defendant among them should be remanded at Suleja Correctional Centre.
A court document obtained by SaharaReporters revealed the charges filed against the 10 protesters listed as defendants.
The defendants are Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye (aka Lenin), male, 28 years; Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi (aka Yomi), male, 34 years; Suleiman Yakubu, male, 28 years; Comrade Opaluwa Eleojo Simeon, male, 50 years; Angel Love Innocent, female, 51 years; Buhari Lawal, male, 21 years; Mosiu Sadiq, male, 28 years; Bashir Bello (aka Murtala), male, 51 years; Nuradeen Khamis, male, 47 years; and Abdulsalam Zubairu, male, 37 years.
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