- On Monday, at least ten protesters in Nigeria were hit with treason charges that could lead to the death penalty, following their involvement in recent demonstrations against the country’s dire economic crisis—the most severe in decades.
- The situation intensified as a video surfaced online showing the heart-wrenching despair of the family members of one of the accused, igniting a furious and emotional outcry that swept across social media platforms.
A heart-wrenching video of a sad mother and sister has set the internet ablaze after it emerged that ten protesters in Nigeria face treason charges in a dramatic courtroom showdown.
The accused, who took part in last month’s “10 Days of Rage” protests against the country’s brutal economic downturn, were charged with treason, destruction of public property, and assaulting police officers. All of them have pleaded not guilty.
The protests, which erupted in response to Nigeria’s worst economic crisis in a generation, turned violent in several cities, leading to clashes with security forces. Police reports indicate at least seven deaths, while human rights organizations claim the number is closer to 23. Nearly 700 arrests were also made during the upheaval.
The court’s charge sheet accuses the protesters of conspiring with a British citizen to “destabilize Nigeria” and incite a military coup against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The severity of the charges has ignited intense debate and widespread anger.
In the midst of the chaos, a poignant video surfaced, showing the tearful mother of one of the accused and his distraught sister.
The emotional footage captures the mother’s desperate plea for justice, as she asserts that her son is no terrorist and expresses a deep-seated hope that fairness will prevail.
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According to reports, despite an appeal that the 10 accused should be bailed as they had already been held for a month, the court decided that they would remain in custody.
Rights group Amnesty International earlier criticised the legal process and called the trial “a sham”.