Tension As Maiduguri Court Delivers Verdict On Detained #EndBadGovernance Protesters

A tense atmosphere enveloped the Maiduguri High Court of Justice as judgement neared for 11 detained #EndBadGovernance protesters in Borno State’s capital.

Family members, human rights activists, and legal professionals gathered in solidarity with the defendants, anxiously awaiting the court’s ruling.

According to the Borno State Attorney General, Hauwa Abubakar, the defendants face charges of public disturbance for allegedly displaying the Russian national flag and chanting slogans during the protest.

The state government is the complainant in the case, as detailed in a letter signed by Abubakar.

The trial has drawn significant attention from human rights advocates who argue for the right to peaceful protest and are closely monitoring the outcome.

The crowd at the courthouse underscored the gravity of the case, reflecting the growing debate on freedom of expression and assembly in Nigeria.

Observers are hopeful for a fair judgement that will balance the right to protest with maintaining public order.

The letter reads, “Halle Dahiru, 26; Bashir Ahmad, 18; Sediq Abubakar, 18; Musa Lawan, 26; Yunusa Abdullahi, 22; Habib Lawan, 22; Abubakar Tijjani, 18; Khalifa Abdulhamid, 25; Muhammed Abubakar, 18; Abubakar Hassan, 24; and Muhammed Ibrahim, 21, on or about the 5th day of August 2024, at about 0800 hrs, at Maiduguri, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, jointly carried and displayed the Russian national flag in public and continuously chanted ‘Ba Mayi,’ thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 42 and punishable under Section 76(b) of the Penal Code Law of Borno State, 2023.

“That you, Halle Dahiru, 26; Bashir Ahmad, 18; Sadiq Abubakar, 18; Musa Lawan, 26; Yunusa Abdullahi, 22; Habib Lawan, 22; Abubakar Tijjani, 18; Khalifa Abdulhamid, 25; Muhammed Abubakar, 18; Abubakar Hassan, 24; and Muhammed Ibrahim, 21, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, carried and displayed a foreign flag, namely the Russian national flag, in public and continuously chanted ‘Ba Muyi’ against the Government, causing a disturbance of public peace and thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 76(b) of the Penal Code Law of Borno State, 2023.”