Nigeria activists face treason charges after deadly protests

In August, protests erupted across Nigeria in response to severe economic hardships, with demonstrators voicing their frustrations through slogans like "we are hungry" and "end bad governance." The protests, which were organized via social media, were partly inspired by successful demonstrations in Kenya that led to the government retracting tax increases. However, the situation escalated into violence, resulting in clashes between protesters and security forces, leading to multiple fatalities and numerous arrests. Following the unrest, ten activists were charged with treason and other serious offenses in a federal high court in Abuja. The charges included destruction of public property and injuring police officers, with accusations that the activists conspired with a British citizen to incite a military takeover of the government. The court denied bail for the accused, who have been in custody for over a month, despite calls for their release. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have condemned the legal proceedings, labeling the trial as a sham and calling for investigations into the violence that occurred during the protests. The Nigerian government has faced criticism for its handling of the demonstrations, which were described as being hijacked by criminals engaging in looting and vandalism. The economic crisis in Nigeria, marked by over 30% inflation and skyrocketing food prices, has fueled public discontent. The protests reflect a broader dissatisfaction with the current administration and the dire living conditions faced by many Nigerians, highlighting the urgent need for governmental reform and accountability.