Nigerian activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, on Wednesday accused the Nigerian government of criminalising protests in the country.
Adeyanju faulted the Nigerian government for failing to prosecute former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, but ensuring that EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protesters are sent to prison.
He made the remark against the backdrop of the Federal High Court in Abuja slamming N10 million bail each on the ten protesters who were charged with attempting to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu between July 1 and August 4 this year.
Justice Emeka Nwite admitted them to bail while delivering a ruling on their bail applications. Among other conditions, the protesters are to produce one surety each in the same amount, and the sureties must be residents in Abuja.
Reacting, Adeyanju said only a tyrant attempts to criminalize protest.
Speaking with AIT, the activist lawyer said: “Protest can never be a crime. Anyone that tries to criminalize protest is a tyrant, and we should not shy away from calling out tyrannical governments that seek to take away the fundamental rights that should be enjoyed unhampered and unhindered.
“The government is wasting time on frivolities instead of focusing on real issues facing the country. Issues of insecurity, look at Yahaya Bello.
“He is not above the law, but he is not facing the law. But those protesting for you and me, to make the country better, are being sent to prison.
“What is wrong with protesters saying they want better welfare, want hyperinflation to be addressed, and they want a situation where fuel will not be increased like we recently witnessed?
“How can these become a crime when people have looted this country dry and they are not being prosecuted? Terrorists abducted a traditional ruler, killed him, and they are not being prosecuted.
“Why should we be wasting our time with frivolities when we can just cut to the chase and get our country working again? This protest is about promoting democratic ideals.
“You can’t arrest the NLC President and say you are addressing protesters. What is wrong with protesting? Didn’t these people in government once protest?
“Protest will always be legal, and citizens are encouraged to protest every day if they wish to.”
Deji Adeyanju criticises Nigerian govt for prosecuting protesters but ignores Yahaya Bello
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