By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
WEDNESDAY’s DISCHARGE and acquittal of the Abuja 11 peaceful protesters dominated proceedings after the court ruled that the prosecution presented no evidence and failed to appear to substantiate the allegations.
The outcome prompted sudden jubilations inside the courtroom as supporters reacted with visible relief to the ruling.
Applauding the judgment, the Initiative Against Human Right Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT) through its National Coordinator, Comrade Gerald O. Katchy, stated that it welcomed the dismissal of all treason charges against the group with profound gratitude.
INAHURAT’s Katchy also attributed the ruling to the decision of Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja sitting in Court Eight describing the case as politically motivated and reaffirmed its long-held position that peaceful protest is not a crime and that Nigerians cannot be criminalised for demanding good governance.
The organisation noted that the ruling came on the 77th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and described the timing as symbolic and historic.
It also stated that the decision demonstrated that Nigeria is capable of aligning with international human rights standards when institutions act with courage and integrity.
Katchy also expressed its appreciation to several institutions and individuals for their roles during the period of the case as well as to the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu for honouring its calls to respect human rights and for allowing the justice system to operate without interference.
It further stated that the outcome reflected a positive step in demonstrating Nigeria commitment to the UDHR at 77 and in strengthening citizens trust in democratic institutions and also commending the judiciary and praised Justice Emeka Nwite for what it described as independence, clarity and a firm commitment to justice. It stated that the ruling reinforced the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
Also, it expressed deep appreciation to the defence lawyers crediting the legal team led by Abubakar Marshall, Deji Adeyanju and other lawyers for standing for the rights of the innocent despite what it described as intimidation, pressure and the weight of state machinery.
Acknowledging the wider human rights community, INAHURAT extended commendation to civil society organisations, activists, rights groups and what it described as the community of conscience for amplifying the case saying their solidarity helped turn the tide.
Not excluding the organised labour, INAHURAT specifically acknowledged the Nigeria Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) and other bodies whose public statements, moral courage and presence strengthened the call for justice.
Katchy then directed recognition to the media stating that traditional and online media houses used their platforms to highlight what it described as abuse, misinformation and the unlawful targeting of the Abuja eleven and added that their work upheld democratic values.
Thanking the generality of the Nigerian citizens, Katchy stated that millions of Nigerians across social media, communities, campuses, workplaces and streets stood with the Abuja 11 as the solidarity of the public gave strength to the oppressed and sent a message that Nigerians would not abandon their own in the face of injustice.
