Prominent lawyer Femi Falana has accused the government of distorting the history of the #EndSARS protests and inciting violence. As nationwide protests against economic hardship are planned for August 1, Falana calls for peaceful demonstrations and government accountability.
Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana SAN has accused the Nigerian government of distorting the history of the 2020 #EndSARS protests. In a powerful statement, Falana detailed how the government allegedly instigated violence during the protests, which called for an end to police brutality. His comments come as Nigerians prepare for nationwide protests against economic hardship on August 1, 2024.
“In 2020, there was a notice given by young people before embarking on the #EndSARS protests,” Falana recounted. “The government has not denied the right of Nigerians to protest because that is a constitutional right. But what I think the government is worried about is the possibility that violence might occur. From my experience, young people or workers have never gone out determined to engage in violence.”
Falana, who has participated in protests for over 40 years, emphasized that violence has historically been incited by external forces. “Violence had always occurred when students or non-students are shot. In 2020, young people were not violent. They gathered peacefully in places like Alausa and Lekki, singing and discussing among themselves. The attack on the youth started when thugs were sent to disrupt the peaceful protests, and the police did not intervene.”
According to Falana, the government eventually unleashed hoodlums and thugs on the protesters. “When that did not work, the government sent troops and soldiers to engage in the killing of young people. In one week, about 99 people were killed in Lagos alone.”
Falana’s statement serves as a call to action for the upcoming August 1 protests. He urged the government to learn from past mistakes and ensure that the police provide adequate security for protesters. “What should be done is to collaborate with the organizers to ensure that violence will not occur,” he stated.
As the nation braces for the planned protests, Falana’s words underscore the importance of protecting the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and holding the government accountable for past actions. The August 1 protests aim to address the economic hardships faced by Nigerians and advocate for a more just and equitable society. WATCH VIDEO BELOW:
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