Nigeria charges protesters with treason, accuses them of inciting military mutiny

Nigeria charged 10 people on Monday with treason and conspiring to incite the military to mutiny, following last month’s nationwide protests against the rising cost of living. The demonstrations, which drew thousands to the streets, were met with a deadly crackdown by security forces.

Amnesty International reported that at least 13 people were killed, although security forces denied using lethal force. The 10 men appeared in the Abuja Federal High Court, where they pleaded not guilty. If convicted, they could face the death penalty, according to human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong.

State prosecutors said in court papers seen by Reuters that the protesters intended to destabilise Nigeria and “conspired together to commit felony to wit, treason”.

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Meanwhile, prosecutors also laid five other charges against the accused under the country’s penal code, including inciting the military to mutiny, burning government buildings and disturbing public peace.

Lawyers for the protesters sought their release on bail, which was opposed by the state. The court will make a ruling on Sept. 11 when their trial is expected to begin.

Amnesty urged the government to unconditionally release all the people arrested during the protests. It said the trial was meant to unlawfully justify detaining protesters.

“These are blatantly trumped-up charges that must be immediately withdrawn,” said Isa Sanusi, director for Amnesty International Nigeria.

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Inspired by protests in Kenya in June that led to the government there scrapping some planned tax increases, Nigerians are mobilising online to demand the reinstatement of subsidies for petrol and electricity, free primary and secondary education and measures to combat insecurity, among other demands.

With inputs from agencies.