In a significant legal victory, the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed charges against 119 #EndBadGovernance protesters, who had been facing serious allegations including treason felony and inciting mutiny.
The court’s decision was announced on Tuesday, following a request from the Attorney General of the Federation’s counsel, M. D Abubakar, to take over the case and discontinue the proceedings.
The defendants had been arraigned on Friday, November 1, in two separate batches. The first group included 76 individuals, among whom were 32 minors, while the second batch consisted of 43 protesters.
This legal action had sparked widespread public interest and concern over the treatment of activists advocating for good governance.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who presided over the case, expressed his agreement with the Attorney General’s request, resulting in the complete dismissal of all charges.
The court’s ruling has been met with relief among the protesters and their supporters, who view the decision as a crucial affirmation of their right to peaceful assembly and protest.
“This ruling is a testament to the resilience of those fighting for accountability and justice in our governance,” said a representative of the protesters after the court’s decision.
The outcome is seen as a hopeful sign for the future of activism in Nigeria, emphasizing the importance of safeguarding citizens’ rights to voice their concerns without fear of persecution.