Kano State Withdraws Charges Against #EndBadGovernance Protesters
The Kano State Government has officially withdrawn all criminal charges against individuals involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests, which took place from August 1 to 10, 2024, marking a significant win for civil liberties and justice in Nigeria.
The decision, made on January 27, 2025, came following a directive from the Attorney General of Kano State, communicated through the Director of Public Prosecutions, to discontinue the charges. This action directly impacts the controversial arrests made during the protests, which had been met with accusations of conspiracy to commit treason, unlawful assembly, and public disturbance.
In a statement released by Citizens’ Gavel, a rights advocacy organization, Rachael Adio, Communications Associate, expressed that this move represents a victory in upholding the constitutional freedoms of Nigerians. She added that the decision followed a petition submitted by Citizens’ Gavel in November 2024, urging the Attorney General to use his authority under Section 211(1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution to drop the charges.
The Citizens’ Gavel organization had also filed Fundamental Human Rights Enforcement Applications and provided legal support to the affected protesters, further cementing their commitment to protecting civil liberties and advocating for justice.
The protestors, who were accused of the charges, are now vindicated, and this marks a key moment for Nigeria’s ongoing fight for freedom of speech and peaceful protest.
