Sixty demonstrators held by Nigerian authorities since 2019 for their alleged part in a protest seeking the release of the founder of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky, have been acquitted of murder by the High Court.

The 60 were arrested after the demonstration in Abuja on 22 July 2019 was attacked by security forces resulting in the deaths of 11 protestors, a journalist and a police officer.

A total of 25 defendants were released after being acquitted of all charges but another 33 defendants were convicted of lesser charges including criminal conspiracy, disturbance of public peace, unlawful assembly, mischief by fire and obstructing public servants. with the remained. They are due to be sentenced on 23 May.

The offences carry varying punishments with the most severe being a maximum of seven years imprisonment for mischief by fire.

Lawyers have told IHRC that they intend to appeal the convictions.

Some of the charged such as Fatima Dasuki Back were shot and wounded by police before their arrests. After being detained they were denied vital medical care.

IHRC has long maintained that the demonstrators are victims of a brutal crackdown on the IMN after its founder Sheikh Zakzaky was shot and arrested during a massacre targeting the group in Zaria in December 2015.

Thousands of civilians have been killed by security forces in the intervening period without a single official being tried let alone convicted over the use of disproportionate violence by officials.

The Zaria massacre in December 2015 which resulted in the deaths of over 1000 protestors is the subject of a complaint currently before the International Criminal Court.

Four days after the July 22 protest, the federal government listed the Islamic Movement as a terrorist organisation. However protests against the decision and the ongoing incarceration of the movement’s leader, Sheikh Ibrahim el-Zakzaky and his wife continued around the country.

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IHRC is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
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