By Luminous Jannamike, Abuja

When Bola Ahmed Tinubu was inaugurated as Nigeria’s president, there was a wave of cautious optimism. Tinubu, a seasoned politician with a reputation for being a staunch advocate of democracy during Nigeria’s military rule, had promised to steer the country towards a new era of prosperity and accountability. His campaign focused on economic revitalization, the empowerment of youth, and a commitment to uphold the rule of law.

However, beneath this veneer of progressivism lay unresolved tensions. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, had endured decades of corruption, human rights abuses, and economic challenges. The #EndSARS protests of 2020 had exposed deep-seated discontent with the government, particularly among the youth, who were frustrated with police brutality and systemic failures. While the protests had forced some changes, many of the underlying issues remained unaddressed.

As Tinubu took office, the public watched closely, eager to see whether his administration would mark a departure from the past or a continuation of the status quo. It wasn’t long before the first signs of trouble began to surface.

The Harassment of Critics

The early months of Tinubu’s administration were marked by a series of arrests and detentions that raised alarms about the government’s commitment to human rights. The arrest of Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, was among the first high-profile cases. Detained on charges of terrorism financing, Emefiele’s arrest was widely perceived as politically motivated, signaling a troubling use of state power against perceived enemies.

Abdulrasheed Bawa, the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), also fell victim to the administration’s crackdown. Known for his anti-corruption efforts, Bawa was suspended and arrested under suspicious circumstances. His case added to the growing list of individuals targeted by the government.

Konbowei Benson, representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, was remanded in prison in March by a judge in Abuja after being arraigned for alleged forgery. Despite his privileged status, Benson spent about a week in detention due to his inability to immediately meet his bail conditions. The protracted detention highlighted the inefficiencies and bottlenecks within Nigeria’s criminal justice system. As noted by former minister, governor and current Senate President Godswill Akpabio, this case underscores the urgent need for justice sector reform, revealing that even the wealthy are not immune to the system’s shortcomings.

Joe Ajaero, the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has found himself under intense scrutiny for his outspoken criticism of the government’s economic policies. Ajaero was accused of terrorism financing, cybercrime, subversion, criminal conspiracy and treasonable felony — allegations that echoed the tactics used against other critics. This pattern of using serious criminal charges to silence opposition figures became increasingly evident, raising concerns among civil society and international observers.

The Crackdown on Journalists

The situation for journalists has been increasingly fraught with danger. The amended Cybercrime Act has been leveraged to arrest and detain at least eight journalists, as reported by the US-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). However, the Press Attack Tracker of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development paints an even grimmer picture, documenting 37 incidents of press freedom violations by state actors since Tinubu assumed office, with 23 occurring in just the past five months.

Two particularly harrowing cases underscore the severity of the crackdown. Segun Olatunji, a journalist for the online news outlet FirstNews, was abducted from his Lagos home by security men and taken to a detention facility in Abuja. His detention, linked to a report critical of President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, involved severe rights violations. Despite his eventual release, the method of his arrest—handcuffed, blindfolded, and held without formal charges—evoked memories of Nigeria’s darkest military dictatorship days.

Similarly, Daniel Ojukwu, a journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), was abducted by the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigerian Police. Initially detained in Lagos before being transferred to Abuja, Ojukwu’s whereabouts were unknown for days, sparking widespread concern. His nine-day detention was justified by the police under the amended Cybercrimes Act—a law increasingly being used to silence journalists and critics under the guise of maintaining national security.

The amended Cybercrimes Act, particularly its Section 24, has been weaponized to stifle dissent. This section, which codifies the crime of “cyberstalking,” has been used to prosecute journalists and activists for their work. Although recent amendments aimed at curbing its misuse, the law continues to serve as a tool for repression. Veteran journalist and human rights advocate, Richard Akinola, cited the arrest of Chioma Okoli as an example of its misuse. Okoli was detained by the police for merely reviewing a product on social media—a stark reminder of the law’s overreach.

The Suppression of Protesters

The situation reached a boiling point with the government’s response to widespread protests over the removal of fuel subsidies and the rising cost of living. As ordinary Nigerians took to the streets to express their frustrations, the security men responded with force. Security forces deployed live ammunition against unarmed protesters, resulting in at least 22 deaths, according to Amnesty International. Following the protests, mass arrests ensued, with some protesters facing terrorism charges—an obvious tactic to intimidate and suppress dissent.

There have been calls for the Federal Government to either release or formally charge the detained protesters. Those arrested must be given adequate notice to contact the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and their families to arrange for their defense. Failure to charge or release the suspects by August 25, 2024, may lead to legal action demanding their immediate release.

Out of the 2,111 arrested suspects, 1,403 have been arraigned in various courts. Many were remanded in prison due to a lack of legal representation, despite the NBA’s offer to provide lawyers. The denial of legal representation constitutes a breach of their fundamental right to fair hearing, guaranteed by both the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

The Erosion of Democracy

As these events unfolded, the initial optimism surrounding Tinubu’s presidency began to dissipate. The international community, which had initially viewed Tinubu’s rise with cautious optimism, started to voice concerns. Human rights organizations issued damning reports, while prominent Nigerians began to question the administration’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

The heavy-handed tactics, the use of state institutions to target opponents, and the disregard for civil liberties all mirrored Nigeria’s dark past. The country, once hopeful for a brighter future under Tinubu’s leadership, found itself grappling with a government that seems more intent on silencing opposition than addressing the pressing needs of its people.

A Call for Accountability

As Nigeria stands at this critical juncture, the pressing question is: where does the country go from here? The narrative of human rights abuses is still unfolding, but the signs are ominous. Civil society is rallying, calling for greater accountability and urging the international community to hold the Tinubu government to its promises of upholding human rights.

For many Nigerians, the situation is a bitter pill to swallow. They had hoped that Tinubu, with his history of democratic struggle, would not allow human rights abuses. They find themselves grappling with the realities on the ground.

Tinubu, security chiefs should resign – Dr Zikirullahi

Dr. Zikirullahi Ibrahim, Executive Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education, has lambasted President Tinubu and his security chiefs.

He said, “In a saner clime, the security chiefs should have buried their heads in shame and resigned from office. What our security agencies have done to please their Master is to detain innocent citizens and begin to play games about their arraignment. It has reached a level we should place this matter before the international community.”

Nigeria Sliding into Police State – Salami

Barrister Temi Salami, a human rights lawyer, has expressed concerns that Nigeria is gradually becoming a police state.

“It is like the this administration is taking us back to the Abacha era. Nigeria is becoming a police country gradually. The National Assembly and Judiciary have been pocketed, but Nigerians will resist any attempt to turn Nigeria into a fascist state,” he said.

Amnesty International condemns government’s disregard for human rights

Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Amnesty International Nigeria, criticized the government for breaking the law and violating human rights.

“First and foremost, it is very sad that the government that is making the law for citizens to comply with is the one breaking the law. The government has not complied with Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution as amended. Two perceived wrongs can’t make a right. The government has not kept faith with Nigerian in the human rights and rule of law,” Rafsanjani told Saturday Vanguard.

The story of human rights abuses under President Bola Tinubu is not just about Nigeria; it is a cautionary tale about the fragility of democracy and the dangers of unchecked power. As the nation navigates these turbulent waters, the hope is that the voices of the oppressed will not be silenced and that justice and democracy will ultimately prevail.