President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is facing heavy criticism following the detention of some underage protesters who took part in the #endbadgovernanace protest which occurred a few month ago.
Afripost reports that the prevailing economic downturn which occasioned hardship coupled with its biting effects, had led to a nationwide protest where enraged Nigerians flooded the streets to express their displeasure.
Recall that Afripost had reported that the protest which began Aug 1, 2024, lasted for 10days and had led to destruction of lives and properties in some part of the country. Although the nation’s capital, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Lagos recorded huge loss during viciously held protest.
To resist looting, violence among other misdemeanors during the somewhat feirced protest, the protesters which some were chiefly minors, were apprehended and subsequently detained.
But a mild drama occurred at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, as a 15-year-old boy, among the 76 protesters detained collapsed before the trial began.
The minor, who appeared malnourished and unkempt, was arraigned alongside others on a 10-count charge.
As the charges were about to be read, the boy slumped, prompting Justice Obiora Egwuatu to halt proceedings and return to his chambers.
With the aid of lawyers in the courtroom, the boy was rushed to the court’s clinic.
His co-defendants, many of whom were visibly shaken, cried uncontrollably.
According to their counsel, Deji Adeyanju, the minors had spent over 80 days in Police custody. Adeyanju expressed concerns about their well-being, emphasising that many are still minors.
The ugly situation has unmuted the lips of many Nigerians to strongly condemn the harsh treatment of the victims which plunged them in a forlorn state and extremely looking beleaguered.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) condemned the detention and alleged mistreatment of minors who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protests.
CISLAC expressed serious concern after reports emerged that several detained children, some as young as 15, reportedly collapsed from malnutrition while inside a Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a statement signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organization called on First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu to intervene, urging her to see these young detainees as “her own children.”
“It is disturbing and damaging to Nigeria’s global image to witness such treatment of young citizens who were only exercising their constitutional rights,” Rafsanjani stated.
“The inhumane detention and maltreatment of these children must end. Anyone responsible for detaining these minors unjustly is the true criminal here, and this incident warrants urgent intervention.”
Also, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan condemned the prolonged detention of the minors.
In a statement released in Lokoja on Saturday by her Chief Press Secretary, Arogbonlo Israel, the Kogi Central lawmaker described the police action as “inhumane and unjust.”
Akpoti-Uduaghan urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to investigate the detention order issued by Justice Obiora Egwuatu.
She emphasized that placing minors in a medium-security correctional facility is inappropriate and a violation of their fundamental human rights.
“This is because children should be tried in a juvenile court, where their identities are protected and not displayed or published in Court.
“I hereby urge the Controller of Prisons, Haliru Nababa, to investigate the detention conditions of juveniles at the Kuje prisons over improper facilities.
“Kuje medium security custodian centre is not designed for detaining children. The juvenile correctional facilities should be used instead,” she said.
Akpoti-Uduaghan appealed to the Federal Government to “temper justice with mercy” and release the detained minors, whom she said were likely used by unscrupulous adults to commit crimes.
“It’s my my belief that the children should be in school and not in detention.”
In the same vein, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) condemned the detention of minors for participating in protests against hunger and poor governance, calling for their immediate release.
In a statement issued Saturday by CNG National Coordinator Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the group noted that numerous children under 18 had been held in custody for over 90 days before their arraignment in an Abuja High Court, where four reportedly collapsed due to hunger and lack of medical care.
CNG criticized the Tinubu administration’s treatment of the detained minors, describing it as “a desperate act that undermines Nigeria’s image on the international stage.”
The group stated that this prolonged detention “grossly violates their fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and assembly.”
The minors reportedly endured “starvation and harsh conditions” while awaiting trial for peacefully advocating for better governance. CNG emphasized that such treatment “contravenes international human rights standards that protect children from harm and unlawful detention.”
CNG argued, “These children should be regarded as victims of state neglect and deprivation by leaders who have failed to deliver adequate governance.” They contrasted this with the leniency often shown toward “criminals and bandits who are terrorizing the nation.”
The group also highlighted broader issues of governmental neglect, citing frequent power outages and surging living costs, worsened by fuel price increases, which have intensified the hardships facing many Nigerians.
“The government seems more focused on detaining, mistreating, and silencing vulnerable children,” CNG asserted, condemning the administration’s approach.
CNG called for the “immediate and unconditional release of all detained minors” and urged the government to prioritize “dialogue and constructive engagement over intimidation.”
The group further appealed to civil society organizations to provide humanitarian assistance to the detained children, stressing, “Protecting children is non-negotiable, and we urge authorities to treat these young citizens with compassion and respect.”
Piqued by the situation, Human rights organization Amnesty International called on the Federal Government to release minors detained following their involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protest in August.
“Amnesty International condemns President Bola Tinubu’s government for the continues detention of minors for participating in the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. The attempts to put the minors through a sham trial over alleged ‘treason’ shows the government’s utter disregard for the rule of law. The authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally.”
“Putting minors through these horrifying detentions for participating in protests against hunger and corruption is — so far — one of the deadliest attempts to suppress freedom of assembly. President Bola Tinubu must unconditionally release minors detailed since August:
“In Katsina, at least 12 children under 16-years-old were detained. The children ended up in detention for just being on the streets during the #EndBadGovernance protests. Children with their whole lives ahead of them are now at the risk of being tried on trumped up charges.
“Right now charges of treasonable felony are being read to another group of 43 protesters in the same Federal High Court #Abuja. The Nigerian authorities are only escalating attempts to deprive people the right to peaceful protests, through horrifying detentions and sham trials.
“The government of President Bola Tinubu must uphold the constitutionally and internationally guaranteed human rights of everyone in the country — including the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. All protesters currently on trial or detained must be released.
“The Nigerian authorities detained these minors unlawfully — putting them through horrifying experiences — for exercising their right to peaceful protest. Government must release them all — immediately and unconditionally.”
After avalanche of criticism, hope emerged last night for 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters as the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, stepped in to take over their (the detained) prosecution on charges of alleged treason and other offenses from the police.
The AGF revealed yesterday that he has instructed the police to transfer the case file to his office and stated that efforts are underway to expedite the trial date, moving it up from next year.
“It has just come to my notice that the police have arraigned those arrested in connection with the endbadgovernance violent protest in court for various offences including treason.
“There are some issues my office will need to look into regarding the matter to enable me take an informed decision,” he said.
Fagbemi in a statement pointed out that while it is not within his powers to vary the order of the court remanding the defendants in detention centres and adjourning the case to January, he has directed the Nigeria Police to transfer the case file to his office and hand over same to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) on November 2, 2024.
“I have further directed the DPPF to immediately put machinery in motion for consideration of the court to bring the adjournment date forward (an earlier date) “Fagbemi said.
