Link to this page: https://secure.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/1122/32100
From The Socialist newspaper, 24 February 2021
Nigeria: Abbey Trotsky on trial for assisting workers' struggle
Socialist Party members protested outside the Nigerian Embassy in central London on 22 February to protest against the 'show trial' of Abbey Trotsky - a leading member of the Democratic Socialist Movement (DSM - CWI in Nigeria) - that was taking place that day.
Abbey is charged with criminal conspiracy to commit a breach of the peace, unlawful assembly, assault and malicious damage. These trumped-up charges arise from solidarity action in support of striking casual/contract workers at Sumal Food Ltd on 2-3 October 2018. If convicted, he could face a jail sentence of up to 13 years.
The authorities are hoping that a prosecution will act as a deterrent for future solidarity action in support of oppressed workers.
Background
In 2018, Abbey and DSM helped striking Sumal food workers win a 30% pay rise, a reduction in hours and the working week, overtime pay, more lenient sick leave, and the reinstatement of sacked employees.
Sumal accused Abbey of 'inciting' the workers against management. But it was the workers who invited Abbey to help, after the terrible role played by the rotten union leaders who collaborated with management.
The Sumal workers' victory inspired a wave of protests for better pay and conditions among other Sumal workers and at other factories in Ibadan city in Oyo state.
Abbey was arraigned on 7 June 2019 following over three weeks of repeated harassment by the police and state secret service, known as DSS.
Between 19 December 2018 and 9 June 2019, Abbey was arrested five times by the police and secret service. Then, between 28 May and 7 June, he was forced to report weekly at the office of the AIG Zone 2 in Osogbo, Osun State, a neighbouring state.
If Abbey is convicted, the Socialist Party in Wales and England along with other sections of the Committee for a Workers' International (CWI) will be stepping up solidarity protests all over the world.
Tollgate protesters arrested and tortured
A peaceful protest called by activists on 13 February 2021, against the decision to reopen the Lekki tollgate to business was openly and brutally repressed.
This new repression, following widespread protests against police brutality last year, has unmasked the Buhari government in Nigeria as a major enabler of police brutality and repression. In fact, repression has actually increased since the end of the #EndSARS protest in October 2020 (see 'Nigeria: Mass protests force government to disband killer cop unit' at socialistparty.org.uk).
The decision to reopen the tollgate was taken by the Lagos State Judicial panel of inquiry set up in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest, last year, particularly the alleged shooting and killing by the army and police of multiple protesters occupying the Lekki tollgate.
This decision split the panel, with at least one youth representative, Rinu Oduala, quitting in protest and another, Barrister Ebun Adegboruwa, announcing he is "consulting with civil society to take a decision".
A few days before the protest, the police authorities issued statements warning of brutal consequences. A faceless group called #DefendLagos also attempted to organise a counter-protest based on stoking sentiments alleging that any protest would lead to destruction and violence similar to that which occurred last year after state-sponsored thugs took over the streets following the October 20 Lekki tollgate killings.
Undeterred
Despite this, scores of protesters showed up on 13 February at the tollgate and were promptly rounded up and arrested, along with some passers-by. They were equally subjected to beatings and torture while in custody.
They were arraigned before a mobile court on a three-count charge of conspiracy, on conduct likely to cause a breach of public peace, and violation of Covid-19 rules. They were subsequently granted bail and ordered to reappear in court on 2 March.
One of those arrested is Moshood Oshunfurewa, Ajegunle (Lagos) branch organiser of the DSM and leading member of the Youth Rights Campaign (YRC). He is also the Lagos state secretary of the broad-left Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN).
He spoke of his ordeal: "Following my arrest while videoing others being arrested, I was able to secretly distribute leaflets to other detained activists right under the noses of the trigger-happy police. Some were inspired and asked questions on how to join the organisation. We were about 40.
The police were very vicious and violent towards the arrested protesters. Their agenda appeared to be to inflict as much damage as they could on us, knowing they cannot really prove any case of breaking the law against us.
They subjected us to torture. I was severely beaten in Adeniji Adele police station and sustained injury to my right eye. My phone was also damaged by the police who used their gun butts to smash the screen. Some other detainees had their phones smashed in similar manner.
Our statements at the police station were forcibly collected with the aid of blows and canes."
- See socialistworld.net for full report and updates.
Donate to the Socialist Party
Finance appeal
The coronavirus crisis has laid bare the class character of society in numerous ways. It is making clear to many that it is the working class that keeps society running, not the CEOs of major corporations.
The results of austerity have been graphically demonstrated as public services strain to cope with the crisis.
The government has now ripped up its 'austerity' mantra and turned to policies that not long ago were denounced as socialist. But after the corona crisis, it will try to make the working class pay for it, by trying to claw back what has been given.
- The Socialist Party's material is more vital than ever, so we can continue to report from workers who are fighting for better health and safety measures, against layoffs, for adequate staffing levels, etc.
- When the health crisis subsides, we must be ready for the stormy events ahead and the need to arm workers' movements with a socialist programme - one which puts the health and needs of humanity before the profits of a few.
Inevitably, during the crisis we have not been able to sell the Socialist and raise funds in the ways we normally would.
We therefore urgently appeal to all our viewers to donate to our Fighting Fund.
In The Socialist 24 February 2021:
Covid
Where's the road map to jobs and wages Boris?
Johnson's 'road map' for schools: Act together to protect safety
Vaccine algorithm can't solve capitalist inequality
Garment workers and Covid: Dying for less than minimum wage
What we think
Starmer's speech a return to New Labour
News
Uber drivers win case - they are workers
Social care: End privatisation and let workers decide how it's run
Lessons from history
How militant trade unionism defeated the 1971 Industrial Relations Act
Workplace news
Usdaw elections - right makes gains but Broad Left builds
HMRC: Divisive pay deal leads to expulsions
Hinkley Point electricians fight 'deskilling'
"I'm here to fight for the future education of children in Hackney"
London bus dispute against low pay, pay cuts and longer hours
GMB members continue fight against 'fire and rehire' in British Gas
Scunthorpe steelworks scaffolders: Fifth week of action
TUSC
Liverpool Unite branch supports 'no cuts' budget strategy
Scottish TUSC election campaign launch
Keep the fighting fund rushing in for a TUSC stand in May
Campaigns news
W. Sussex children's centres on the chopping block
Coventry success building subscriptions
Socialist Students conference - postering
Save John Carroll Leisure Centre
Getting the Socialist out in lockdown
LGBT+ history month
Pride flag is about unity in struggle
International news
Nigeria: Abbey Trotsky on trial for assisting workers' struggle
Facebook v Australian government: nationalise the bosses' media!
Readers' opinion
Tories admit guilt for asylum seeker neglect
Tories target universities in free speech shakedown
Home | The Socialist 24 February 2021 | Join the Socialist Party
Subscribe | Donate | Audio | PDF | ebook