The Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), a passionate advocate for human rights, has taken a bold stand, urging President Bola Tinubu to immediately halt the legal proceedings against a group of 11 activists linked to the #EndBadGovernance movement. Among them is Michael Lenin, who finds himself facing grave charges of treason and mutiny—serious allegations that could change lives forever.
In a powerful statement, the YRC emphasized that this trial seems more like a heavy-handed maneuver to stifle dissent and quash opposition, rather than a fair pursuit of justice. After all, if we look closely, the evidence presented against these activists appears achingly thin, hardly sufficient to justify such drastic measures. These proceedings are set to unfold on January 29, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The stakes are high—the accused face the chilling prospect of the death penalty for treason, a fate that echoes loudly throughout society.
The activists facing this daunting prospect include Comrades Adaramoye Micheal Lenin, Mosiu Sodiq, Daniel Akande, Angel Love Innocent, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Buhari Lawal, Bashir Bello, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaoluwa Eleojo Simon, Nuradeen Khamis, and Abdulsalam Zubairu. Each of these individuals was apprehended between August 5 and September 1, 2024, during a wave of protests that swept across the nation. Their activism, ignited by the soaring cost of living—a crisis many attribute to the reform policies implemented under the Tinubu administration—has turned them into symbols of resistance.
As the trial date approaches, one can’t help but wonder: will the voices of these young activists be silenced, or will their courage inspire others to rise against oppression? In a time when so many feel the weight of governmental pressures, these individuals stand for more than themselves; they represent a yearning for change that resonates on every street corner. The call for justice isn’t merely about legal proceedings; it’s about human dignity, the right to protest, and the belief that every voice matters, no matter how soft it may seem in the cacophony of power.
For now, the world watches with bated breath, hoping that this trial does not stamp out the fire of change but instead ignites a movement of hope, resilience, and unwavering demand for accountability. What do you think? Are we witnessing the birth of a new chapter in the fight for democracy? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the journey towards justice is never straightforward, and it often demands the courage to speak out, even when it feels daunting. The future lies delicately balanced on the scales of justice, awaiting a verdict not just for the individuals involved, but for the heart and soul of a nation.
Report By Axadle
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
