The Nigeria Police Force Command across the nation have announced they will begin the prosecution of some people who were arrested during the recent #EndBadGovernance Protests across the nation.
In Yobe state, the 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 Katsina, the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, said the first batch of protesters – 64 of them – have been charged to court.
“Yes, we have charged them to court and the first batch was 64. They were all charged between Monday and Friday last week,” he said.
His Niger State counterpart revealed that 23 protesters, who were arrested in the state, were taken to the Niger State Criminal Investigation Department.
“All suspects were transferred to SCID Minna for further investigation and they will be arraigned in court for prosecution as soon as the ongoing investigation is concluded,” Abiodun Wasiu, the Niger command PPRO, stated.
He added that several stolen items were recovered from the persons arrested.
“The following items were recovered from the suspects: wooden bench/office chairs, car side mirror, extension wire, reflective jacket, ceiling fan, table calculator, laptop and generator, ceiling sheets and office television. The items were returned to the LGA secretariat.”
In Ondo state, the police spokeswoman, SP Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya, said the insignia on the beret wore by the protesters had a resounding resemblance to that of the Aye Confraternity.
She said the insignia attracted Aye members and rival groups which ‘suggested that certain members of the protesting group were suspectedly into Cultism and Cybercrime activities.’
Omisanya said the protesters were arrested after becoming unruly while being escorted to the designated venue.
“The high-profile nature of some of the arrested suspects poses a significant security threat to the state and Nigeria at large. Therefore, the Command seeks the cooperation and support of residents and indigenes as the state move towards electioneering campaigns for upcoming gubernatorial elections,
“The arrested persons are being profiled in line with emerging facts and will soon be arraigned on conclusion of investigation.”
