After Months Of Unlawful Detention, Court Frees 119 Minor Protesters

 

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday freed 119 Nigerians, including minors, who had been detained for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest that took place in August 2024.

This judgment comes after months of detainment under harsh conditions, sparking widespread outrage and calls for justice from both national and international communities.

Major news networks like CNN, Al Jazeera, and others have highlighted the plight of these children, underscoring the gravity of the situation and drawing attention to the Tinubu administration’s handling of economic and social challenges.

This backlash has added further strain to President Bola Tinubu’s government, which already faces criticism for navigating one of Nigeria’s toughest economic periods, marked by inflation, currency devaluation, and inadequate policies.

The minors, aged 14 to 17, were detained alongside 46 adults in connection with the protests, which were driven by economic hardship in the country. With soaring prices, unemployment, and food insecurity, even children joined the protests, demanding better living conditions and stability.

READ: FG Orders Release of Detained Minor Protesters

The children were charged with serious offenses, including treason, public disturbance, and property destruction, raising concerns globally over their treatment.

The kids who were granted bail on stringent terms by Justice Obiora Egwuatu were 24. Still, about 20 of them had been hospitalised at an undisclosed hospital.

Meanwhile, Osun Defender had earlier reported that the President Bola Tinubu had ordered for their release.

Following the order, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, addressed State House correspondents, announcing the government’s decision to release the children without prejudice to any ongoing legal proceedings.

He said, “The President has ordered the immediate release of all the minors who have been arrested by the Nigeria Police without prejudice to whatever legal processes they are undergoing. He has directed that they be released immediately.

“Secondly, the President has also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately attend to the welfare of these minors, and to ensure their smooth reunion with their parents or guardians wherever they are in the country.

“Thirdly, the President has directed that an administrative committee will be set up immediately, to be headed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, to examine all issues surrounding the arrest, detention, treatment, and finally, the release of these young minors.

“Fourthly, the President has also directed that all law enforcement agents involved in the arrest and the legal processes will be investigated, and if any infractions are found to have been committed by any official of Government, whether from a law enforcement agency or another appropriate authority, disciplinary action will be taken against him or her.”

However, in a new development on Tuesday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, presiding over the case, dismissed the treason charges initially filed against the young protesters after the Attorney-General of the Federation’s counsel, M.D. Abubakar, submitted an application to take over and discontinue the suit.

At the session on Tuesday, Abubakar prayed the court to allow the AGF take over the charge.

It was however, learnt that Vice President, Kashim Shettima, is set to preside over an elaborate handover ceremony to transfer custody of malnourished minors to their respective state governors from the northern region.