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The Solidarity Network for Workers’ Rights (SNWR) has expressed profound appreciation to well-meaning Nigerians, labour activists, student movements, community organisers, civil society allies, and the international socialist and human rights community for their steadfast solidarity throughout the politically motivated trial of the #EndBadGovernance11.

In a historic judgment delivered on Wednesday, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had struck out all treason and terrorism charges against 11 #EndBadGovernance protesters, popularly known as the “Abuja 11,” and formally acquitted them of all allegations.

In a statement issued by the rights group, SNWR recalled that on December 10, 2025, the Federal High Court discharged and acquitted Daniel Akande and ten other comrades who had been subjected to what it described as baseless charges of treason and terrorism. According to the group’s statement signed by Daniel Akande, the verdict represents a clear indictment of attempts by the Police and the Federal Government to silence dissent and undermine democratic rights.

The organisation stated that the ruling, which was anchored on an obvious lack of diligent prosecution, reaffirmed its long-held position that the trial was never about justice. Rather, SNWR maintained that it was a deliberate effort to intimidate activists who spoke out against corruption, hunger, unemployment, police brutality, insecurity, and worsening living conditions.

The group added that in the face of rising anger across society, the state sought to criminalise protest and resistance, an attempt it said has now collapsed before the Nigerian people and the international community.

SNWR described the acquittal as a powerful reminder to workers, students, youths, and oppressed communities that collective struggle can yield victory. It stressed that the outcome demonstrated that tyranny cannot withstand the organised will of a conscious and determined people.

However, the group cautioned that while the acquittal is a significant triumph, it does not mark the end of the struggle, noting that the socio-economic conditions that led to the arrests remain unresolved and have, in its view, worsened.

According to the statement, hardship has deepened across the country, with the cost of living described as unbearable, hunger widespread, unemployment catastrophic, and insecurity unchecked. SNWR further alleged that the ruling elite continue to consolidate power, converting the nation’s wealth into private property for a privileged few while millions endure suffering.

The organisation called on workers, youths, students, and oppressed Nigerians to take back the country from what it termed autocrats and profiteers, insisting that Nigeria cannot continue under a system where societal wealth is looted for the comfort of a tiny class. It argued that the country needs a complete break from what it described as a capitalist establishment sustained by exploitation, inequality, corruption, and repression.

Reaffirming its ideological position, SNWR declared the urgent need for a socialist alternative, insisting that Nigeria’s wealth must be publicly owned, democratically controlled, and managed in the interest of working people. The group maintained that only a socialist transformation can guarantee free and quality education, access to healthcare, affordable housing, job creation, food security, and genuine development.

As part of its demands, SNWR called for the building of a mass workers’ party rooted in workplaces, communities, and campuses to challenge what it described as the looting ruling elite and to replace their rule with a government founded on workers’ democracy.

The organisation concluded that the acquittal of its comrades is more than a legal victory, describing it as a call to intensify the struggle and a reminder that collective action works. It urged workers and young people to deepen the fight against what it termed capitalist collapse and to build a united movement for a new Nigeria founded on equality, justice, solidarity, and democratic control of collective wealth.

“The struggle continues. Victory is certain. And when we fight together, we can win,” the statement declared.

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