The Nigerian government charged 10 individuals with treason for participating in an August protest in Abuja “demanding good governance,” according to court documents obtained by SaharaReporters on Monday.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to their charges before Justice Emeka Nwite at the Abuja Federal High Court, emphasizing the constitutionally protected right to peaceful assembly, a guarantee also upheld in various human rights instruments according to Amnesty International’s Nigeria director, Isa Sanusi. Nigerian human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong condemned the arrests, characterizing them as a “gross abuse of prosecutorial power by the Nigerian Police Force.” If convicted of treason the defendants could face the death penalty per Section 37 of Nigeria’s criminal code.

Human rights advocates, organizations, and civil society have criticized the arbitrary arrests of the protestors, after demonstrations erupted across the country in early August as a response to changes in economic conditions, such as unemployment and increased cost of living. Participants in the protests used the hashtag “EndBadGovernanceInNigeria” on X (formerly Twitter) to draw awareness to their mobilization.

Intended to last several days, the protests dwindled following harsh intervention by the Nigerian security forces. In response to the protests, President Bola Tinubu released a statement on August 4, restating his commitment “to ensuring public order and protecting the lives and property of every Nigerian.” He further called on the activists to ” suspen[d] further protests, and embrace dialogue,” highlighting government efforts to relieve the cost of living within the country, including “major infrastructure projects” and “reduced debt service.”

The defendants are expected to appear before the court later this month to set a trial date.