From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
A Northern socio-cultural organisation, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has demanded the immediate release and compensation of citizens detained following their participation in the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests.
ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, in a statement, criticized the ongoing trial of the protesters—many of whom are reportedly minors, describing it as “a gross display of official high-handedness.”
According to the ACF, the Federal Government’s approach, including stringent bail conditions set at N10 million, reflects an “unwarranted crackdown” on citizens exercising their rights.
Muhammad-Baba noted that the alleged treatment of detainees, which included instances of minors collapsing in court, has drawn national and international criticism.
The ACF called on the government to halt the “sham treason trial,” release the detainees, and investigate the extended detention period, which it says exceeded the constitutional 24-hour limit.
The Forum also urged the government to offer psychological support to the detainees and to reconsider its approach to managing protests.
The Forum, however, reiterated its prior warning to northern youth, advising caution regarding protests, yet argued that “nothing in this trial justifies the current treatment” of detainees.
