At least 10 protesters in Nigeria faced the possibility of the death penalty on Monday after being charged with treason for their involvement in recent demonstrations against the country’s severe economic crisis.
The protesters were arraigned in the nation’s capital, Abuja, and accused of attempting to destabilize the government and intimidate President Bola Tinubu during the protests.
They pleaded not guilty and remained in custody pending a bail hearing on September 11.
Among the suspects still at large was a British citizen, Andrew Wynne, who Nigerian police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi alleged was working with the protesters as a foreign mercenary.
Adejobi claimed Wynne was building a network of sleeper cells to overthrow the government and plunge Nigeria into chaos. However, no evidence was provided to substantiate these claims.
During the demonstrations, security forces reportedly shot dead at least 22 protesters, according to Amnesty International. While authorities have denied these allegations, the Associated Press confirmed at least three fatalities.
The fate of hundreds of other arrested protesters remains unknown.
Concerns about human rights abuses under President Tinubu’s government have been growing in Nigeria.
The protesters were charged under the country’s Penal Code, a law widely criticized for its harshness and its use by authorities to suppress dissent. The treason charge carries the death penalty.
The trial has faced widespread condemnation in Nigeria. “Some of the charges demonstrate how far Nigerian authorities can go in misusing the criminal justice system to silence critical voices,” said Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International’s country director. “These are blatantly trumped-up charges that must be immediately withdrawn.”