The Federal High Court in Abuja’s imposition of harsh and onerous bail conditions on ten #EndBadGovernance protestors has been strongly denounced by the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, or HURIWA.

The group voiced its profound regret, saying that courts are increasingly acting like colonial agents and using their authority to suppress and criminalise peaceful protests rather than to uphold the rights of the people.

Ten Nigerians are being charged with treason in this case, which has angered people all throughout the nation because of Justice Emeka Nwite’s strict bail requirements.

Each defendant was given a bail requirement of N10 million, along with the stipulation that the surety be an Abuja resident and property owner.

The sureties also had to swear an affidavit of means and deposit property records with the court.

HURIWA claims that these circumstances are repressive, unfair, and indicative of a judiciary.

more and more in submission to the government’s executive branch.

In a statement released by HURIWA and signed by Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the organisation compared the Federal High Court’s rulings to the repressive measures taken by colonial rulers to silence Nigerian voices prior to independence.

The judiciary is acting more like lingering remnants of colonialism, acting as oppressors rather than as guardians of the law and basic rights. The statement said, “How can a democratic justice system criminalise nonviolent protests and impose such harsh, unworkable bail terms on young Nigerians who are expressing their fundamental rights?

HURIWA noted that the majority of those facing charges are young, jobless people who staged protests to call for principles of accountability, transparency, and good governance—values that are deeply ingrained in the constitution.

“These young Nigerians, a large number of them are jobless, were demonstrating against poor government as part of their democratic right. However, HURIWA bemoaned that instead of being treated as heroes fighting for a better Nigeria, they were apprehended, handled like criminals, and now had to post ₦10 million bail apiece.

The group went on to denounce the bail requirements as a covert means of guaranteeing the demonstrators’ continued incarceration.

The conditions the court has set are so absurd that it’s practically depriving them of bail. How will young people without jobs get ₦10 million? HURIWA stated, “These bail conditions unequivocally demonstrate that the court does not intend to release these demonstrators.

HURIWA claims that the court’s ruling not only betrays the values of democracy but also gives the administration more confidence to crack down on nonviolent protests.

The act of protesting is not intrinsically illegal. A key component of democracy is protest. You are really destroying democracy the moment you restrict the freedom to demonstrate. HURIWA issued a warning, saying that the court had strengthened the hands of the authoritarian government that was beginning to take shape in Nigeria.

The group expressed worries about the judiciary’s independence as well, claiming that the courts are quickly turning into tools used by the administration to crush dissent and silence critics.

The judiciary ought to function as a separate branch of government and represent the final hope that the average person has. Regretfully, it appears from recent decisions—including this one—that the court is siding with the executive branch’s authoritarian inclinations. The whole core of our democracy is in jeopardy when the courts start acting as the executive branch’s agents, the group warned.

Since governments come and go but the courts and the people never leave, the group cautioned the judiciary to exercise caution in what it does.

The people, not the political class, are the courts’ primary clientele, and they must never forget this. Though politicians come and go, Nigerian sovereignty belongs to the people, and the courts endure. The courts run the risk of losing their integrity and credibility when they carry out the executive branch’s authoritarian agenda. The judiciary must continue to be impartial and on the side of justice.

HURIWA denounced the accusations made against the demonstrators as politically motivated and trumped-up.

“There is no truth to the allegations of treason and plotting to topple the government. The demonstrators were merely promoting good administration, which the constitution does not forbid. Why is the judge imposing such harsh terms if she recognises that these are crimes that are subject to bail? This only helps to

The association expressed its sadness that the judiciary is acting in this way, noting that it is a symptom of a bigger problem where courts are being used to impose restrictions on basic human rights.

“It is quite unfortunate that the courts are being utilised as tools to impede the exercise of rights guaranteed by the constitution. The principles of democracy and fairness are in no manner adhered to by these bail requirements. They serve as a mirror of a court that is willing to overlook violations of basic liberties.

In its closing remarks, HURIWA urged the Nigerian judiciary’s leadership to act quickly to stop the growing trend of judges handing down decisions that support the repressive policies of the executive.