FG plots secret trial of  #EndBadGovernance protest leaders

President Bola Tinubu’s administration is reportedly plotting to try the organisers of #EndBadGovernance protests secretly.

This is coming after the Take It Back Movement, one of the organizers of the protests, on Sunday, called for a solidarity gathering at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday to demand the immediate release of #EndBadGovernance protesters who are facing charges.

In a statement issued via the official X handle of the group, Take It Back Movement announced that its members would occupy the court premises starting at Monday, to show support for the detained protesters.

Some of the protest leaders still in detention are Michael Adaramoye, also known as Micheal Lenin; Mosiu Sodiq, Angel, and Opaoluwa, who were arrested for participating in the protests and demanding good governance and an end to hunger.

The activists were to be arraigned in court today but their lawyers were not informed.

Meanwhile, the civil society group lambasted the Nigeria Police Force for postponing the arraignment of #EndBadGovernance protesters.

Upon arrival at the court on Monday, this medium gathered that no fewer than 30 Hilux security vehicles and five military Armoured Personnel Carriers were positioned around the court premises to prevent other activists planning to throng the court in solidarity from getting close to the area.

Heavy security presence was evident around the court, with officers in both uniform and plainclothes drafted to key locations inside and outside the premises, in anticipation of the trial.

Further investigation revealed that the case was not scheduled in the cause lists of either Court 9 or Court 10, both of which are vacation courts.

A court insider, who doesn’t want to be quoted according to Sahara Reporters, confirmed that a case would be heard in Court 10 but was unsure of its nature.

However, activist Omole Ibukun, who was present at the court, condemned the heavy military presence as undemocratic and called for its end.

He also berated the government for conducting secretive trials of innocent Nigerians who were peacefully advocating for action to address the rising issues of hunger, corruption, and insecurity plaguing the country.

Ibukun said, “We came to the court today because we heard that some of the protesters who were arrested from the North were brought to Abuja alongside Michael Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq, Angel Opeoluwa and others who were abducted in the middle of the night by the officers from the Office of National Security Adviser.

“We heard that they will bring them this morning and we heard the same information on Thursday and nothing happened.

“But they have sent information to our lawyers that they are no longer bringing them today. It only shows that we are right that protest is not a crime. The constitution did not take away the freedom of protest from any Nigerian.

“So the fact that they are not bringing today is a sign that they want to demobilize our solidarity and we ask Nigerians at home not to be demobilized.

“We must prepare to come out come out anytime to join this #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria and hardship protest.

“We also have information that they will still bring them today. As you can see, there are a lot of security trucks and vehicles of DSS, Police and Army. They have also asked the vacation judge to be on standby, that one case is coming but they have not revealed the case to anybody. It means that they are planning a secret trial of peaceful protesters.”