FG to arraign hunger protest organizers, including British citizen, on treason charges

September 2, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Federal Government (FG) is set to arraign organizers of the recent hunger protest, including a British citizen, Andrew Wynne, on treason charges before the Federal High Court in Abuja today.

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, filed a six-count charge against the defendants, accusing them of treason, destabilizing the country, intimidating the President, and destroying property.

The charges allege that the defendants conspired to commit a felony, to wit: treason, between July 1 and August 4, 2024.

The protest, which took place from August 1 to 10, was in response to economic hardship and resulted in the arrest of 2,111 individuals, with 1,403 remanded in prisons due to lack of legal representation.

The defendants include Micheal Adaramoye, Adeyemi Ahayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, among others.

The Federal Government accuses them of acting in concert to destabilize the country and commit treason, contrary to Section 95 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

The arraignment comes amid concerns about the government’s response to peaceful protests and the rights of citizens to express dissent.

The IG also said, “Between 1 July 2024 and 4 August 2024, at Karshi Abuja FCT, within the jurisdiction of this court, while acting in concert and with intent to destabilise Nigeria, (defendants) conspired together to commit felony, to wit: Inciting to mutiny and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.”

The Inspector-General of Police (IG) alleged that between July 1 and August 10, 2024, protesters in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, and Gombe, in collaboration with Andrew Wynne, a British citizen, engaged in acts of war against the state with the intention of destabilizing Nigeria and intimidating the President. The protesters allegedly attacked and injured police officers, burned police stations, and destroyed several buildings, including government offices and private properties.

The IG accused the protesters of committing offenses contrary to sections 410 and 416 of the Penal Code (Northern States) Federal Provisions Act CAP P3 LFN 204, including inciting disaffection towards the government by carrying placards with inscriptions such as ‘end bad government’ during public disturbances.

According to Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of Take It Back, the defendants will be arraigned in court on Monday to face charges related to these allegations.”

He added the protesters would represented by Falana.

Sanyaolu said, “Mass trial of another set of the protesters in Kano and Abuja will commence tomorrow (Monday). Femi Falana will be representing them.”