The Joint Action Front (JAF) has strongly urged the authorities to put an end to the ongoing legal actions and detention of Engineer Khalid Aminu, who played a significant role in the #EndBadGovernance protests held in August 2024. The organization has condemned the legal measures taken against Aminu and is calling for his immediate release and the withdrawal of all charges against him.
JAF has expressed deep concern over the N160 million libel suit filed against Aminu. The group believes this legal action is an attempt to suppress voices speaking out against social injustices. According to JAF’s Secretary, Comrade Abiodun Aremu, Aminu’s only "offense" was speaking up about his treatment while in custody, where he was allegedly detained for over 60 days without due process.
“You cannot brutally mistreat someone and then demand they remain silent about their suffering,” Aremu stated.
The legal proceedings are set to continue at the Kaduna State High Court, and JAF sees this lawsuit as part of a larger effort to discourage opposition against policies that have impacted the well-being of many citizens. The organization noted that the protests were a direct response to growing economic hardship and that despite attempts to suppress them, people from all walks of life took to the streets to voice their concerns.
Reports suggest that during the protests, numerous individuals, including minors, faced arrest and detention. Many of those arrested were held in different facilities nationwide, with some facing severe legal consequences. JAF recalls that only after widespread public outcry did the authorities drop charges against some detainees, especially minors.
The group is now calling on human rights organizations, labor unions, and the general public to speak out against what it describes as an effort to criminalize peaceful protest and free expression. They have also linked this legal action to similar cases where individuals have faced serious charges, including treason, simply for participating in demonstrations and holding placards demanding better governance.
JAF has highlighted that a related treason trial, which has been postponed multiple times, is expected to commence on March 26 at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Several activists are currently out on bail after spending months in detention. However, the ongoing trials mean their freedom remains uncertain.
The organization is urging concerned individuals and groups, both locally and internationally, to support efforts calling for the charges against these activists to be dropped. JAF also emphasizes the importance of continued mobilization to push back against policies they argue are detrimental to the majority of the population.
According to JAF, the long-term solution lies in collective action to challenge economic policies and governance structures that have led to widespread hardship. The group encourages citizens to stay engaged in advocacy efforts to uphold democratic rights and seek sustainable changes that benefit the broader population
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