Human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has outrightly condemned the treason charges against hunger protesters by President Bola Tinubu’s government as a desperate move to manipulate the criminal justice system to punish critics.

In a statement on Monday, the organisation criticised Mr Tinubu’s government for targeting citizens who protested against endemic poverty and corruption with baseless charges.

“Some of the charges to be filed against the protesters, ranging from treason, which carries the death penalty, to allegations of ‘plans to destabilise Nigeria,’ show how far the Nigerian authorities can go in manipulating the criminal justice system to silence critical voices,” the human rights organisation said.

It added, “These attempts by President Bola Tinubu’s government to charge those who protested widespread poverty and rampant corruption with treason are beyond absurd and baseless.”

According to the organisation, the Nigerian government (led by Mr Tinubu) has wrongfully prioritised punishing protesters without addressing the urgent need to impartially investigate the killing of dozens of protesters across Kano, Katsina, Suleja/Tafa, Jigawa, and Maiduguri.

This comes as Tinubu’s administration has charged 10 #EndBadGovernance protesters with treason, a crime punishable by death under Nigerian law.

A six-count charge court document filed with number FHC/ABJ/CR/454/2024 by Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun shows that Tinubu’s government has accused the protesters of felony and treason.

The first count in the document accuses the 10 protesters of “acting in concert and with intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspired together to commit felony to wit: Treason, and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 96 and punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code.”

Other charges include public disturbance, plotting to overthrow the Tinubu-led government, and destabilising the country.

The 10 protesters facing treason charges and possible execution if convicted are Michael Tobiloba Adaramoye, Adeyemi Abiodun Abayomi, Suleiman Yakubu, Opaluwa Eleojo Simon, Angel Love Innocent, Buhari Lawal, Mosiu Sadiq, Bashir Bello, Nuradeen Khamis, and Abdulsalam Zubairu.

This follows about three weeks after citizen-led nationwide protests over economic hardship under Mr. Tinubu’s government.

The 10-day protests saw Nigerian security operatives unleash violence on protesters, killing at least 23 and arresting hundreds, according to Amnesty International.

Nigerian police have denied killing any protesters despite footage showing them firing live rounds at protesters.