The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has welcomed the discharge and acquittal of activist, Comrade Emmanuel Acha, after he spent more than 200 days in detention over charges the court found to be baseless.
RULAAC made this known in a statement issued alongside Spaces for Change and the Action Group on Free Civic Space (AGFCS), describing the court’s decision as a major relief not only for Acha and his family, but also for civil society and human rights defenders across Nigeria.
According to RULAAC, Acha’s arrest and prosecution followed a disturbing pattern increasingly common in the country, where citizens who challenge government actions through lawful means are targeted using the criminal justice system. He was arrested in the early hours of the day, denied immediate access to his lawyers and family, and charged with serious offences.
However, during the trial, the prosecution failed to back up its claims. Despite alleging crimes such as arms possession, murder and instigation of violence, the state could not produce any weapons, victims, or credible evidence linking Acha to the accusations.
RULAAC said the case reflects a wider problem of criminalising dissent and using the courts to intimidate critics through what is known as Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs).
While the organisation welcomed the acquittal, it stressed that the long detention caused unnecessary suffering, disrupted family life and discouraged civic participation. It warned that justice delayed, even when eventually delivered, leaves lasting damage to individuals and democratic space.
The group also acknowledged the role played by coordinated advocacy, legal defence, media engagement and support from partners, including Spaces for Change, AGFCS members, committed lawyers and the Fund for Global Human Rights, noting that the outcome might have been different without such collective efforts.
RULAAC reaffirmed its commitment to defending activists, challenging abuse of police and prosecutorial powers, and exposing the misuse of criminal law for political or personal vendettas.
She congratulated Emmanuel Acha on regaining his freedom and commended his resilience, while reminding authorities that an acquittal after prolonged detention does not erase the harm done or absolve the system of responsibility.
The organisation added that when Acha has had time to recover from his experience, documenting his time in detention could help expose hidden abuses in Nigeria’s criminal justice system and strengthen advocacy for prison and justice reforms.
RULAAC concluded by stating that although the struggle to protect civic space in Nigeria continues, the case sends a clear message that solidarity works, the law still matters, and repression can be resisted.
