A national outburst yesterday trailed the federal government’s arraignment of minors before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, for their alleged participation in the last #EndBadGovernance Protests in some parts of the country.
Among those who berated the government for the poor treatment of the children were civil society organisations (CSOs), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, and former attorney-general of the federation and minister of justice, Prof. Isa Pantami.
The minors who were among the 114 protesters brought to the court were granted N10 million bail each.
Among others, they were accused of burning police stations, a high court complex, and the National Communications Commission (NCC) Complex during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
The total sum of the bail granted the accused persons was N1.14 billion and two sureties in like sum.
Justice Egwatu granted the defendants bail after submission from the lawyers representing the defendants and the inspector-general of police (IGP).
During their arraignment, Nura Ibrahim (24) and 75 others (ages from 14 to 30), were accused of acting in concert with one Andrew Martin Wynne to destabilise the nation.
They were alleged to have attacked and injured police officers and burned police stations, a high court complex, NCC Complex, Kaduna Investment and Promotions Agency’s office, and the National Union of Road Workers’ (NURTW) office.
These were similar to accusations levelled against 10 protesters in another court.
Counsel for the prosecution, Audu Garba, asked the court to discharge four of the defendants who fell ill in court, adding that they would be re-arraigned once they recover following medical treatment.
Justice Egwatu ruled that since the charges against the four defendants had been withdrawn by the prosecution, “their names are struck out.”
After the 10-count charge was read to the defendants, they pleaded not guilty, allowing their legal team to apply for bail.
The prosecution stated that bail remained within the discretionary purview of the court, irrespective of the relevant laws.
Ruling on the bail, Justice Egwatu noted that some of the defendants were under 18 years old, and the defendants’ lawyers had promised not to interfere with the trial or destroy the evidence.
He also noted that the prosecution did not contest the defendants’ submissions. “The defendants are granted bail in the sum of N10 million each,” the judge ruled and directed the defendants to provide sureties in a like sum, who must include a civil servant and their parents or siblings.
He ordered the adults to be remanded at the Kuje Correctional Service, while the minors would be remanded in the Borstal Home of the Correctional Service.
The case was then adjourned to January 24, 2025, for hearing.
In a swift reaction, some CSOs in Nigeria condemned the detention and the reported maltreatment of malnourished minors linked with the #EndBadGovernance protests.
They expressed concerns over reports that several of the detained children collapsed inside the court in Abuja due to malnutrition.
The minors have been held since August by the police for participating in protests against worsening insecurity and deprivation in the country.
The CSOs: Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Transparency International, Amnesty International and Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) through their leader, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, called on First Lady Oluremi Tinubu to intervene, urging her to see the young detainees as “her own children.”
The CSOs also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to halt these actions by government officials, including the minister of justice, and to immediately order their release.
“It is disturbing and damaging to Nigeria’s global image to witness such treatment of young citizens who were only exercising their constitutional rights.
“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,” Rafsanjani said.
Images and videos from the courtroom, circulating widely on social media, depict the harrowing scenes of some minors lying on the floor as lawyers and others tried to revive them.
The incident occurred when the minors were brought to court from various police detention cells, where reports claim they were denied adequate food and medical care.
Sources alleged that the prolonged detention and harsh conditions were intended to punish the minors, who have been accused of fighting the government despite the absence of credible evidence.
The CSOs called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take immediate action, advocating for the rights of the detained minors.
The organisations further urged international bodies such as UNICEF, the World Food Organisation, the World Health Organisation, and Save the Children Foundation to join in condemning the incident and pressuring the Nigerian government for their unconditional release.
It’s Inhumane To Detain, Prosecute Children – Atiku, Obi
In his reaction, Atiku said detaining and prosecuting children arrested during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protest smacks of government’s inhumanity.
Atiku said if the children were just being arraigned three months after their arrest, the sort of dehumanising conditions they would have been subjected to could only be imagined.
The former vice president who condemned the trial of the children said a nation can be assessed by the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens.
He said, “A disturbing video of malnourished children being arraigned before a Federal High Court on the orders of the Bola Tinubu-led federal government has been brought to my notice.
“The horrible scene reminiscent of a Nazi concentration camp once again reflects the low premium the current government places on the lives of the vulnerable, especially children.
“For emphasis, Section 11 of the Child’s Rights Act guarantees dignity of the child.
“It states that, ‘Every child is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no child shall be – (a) subjected to physical, mental or emotional injury, abuse, neglect or maltreatment, including sexual abuse; (b) subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.’
“The children are being prosecuted for their alleged role in the #EndBadGovernance protests, which took place between August 1 and August 10, 2024.”
On his part, Obi criticised the government’s handling of protesters, especially the minors, who were brought to court under humiliating conditions.
Obi asserted that the constitution allowed the citizens to protest against poor governance.
In a statement on his X account yesterday, he called for a thorough investigation into the incident, which he described as a disgrace to Nigeria’s image on the global stage.
“I was horrified by the disturbing scenes captured in a video circulating online, showing 124 protesters – among them minors – appearing in court today (yesterday) in an effort to assert their fundamental rights,” Obi stated.
He noted that the footage depicted minors who were so weak that they could barely stand, with some fainting from exhaustion and lack of nourishment.
“These children looked visibly malnourished and deprived – an alarming sight that should awaken the conscience of every citizen in our nation,” he added.
Obi criticised the treatment of the minors, pointing out that they were poorly managed while in federal custody. He emphasised that the allegations against them – protesting against bad governance that directly affects their livelihoods –are protected under the constitution in a democratic society. “Ironically, many current government officials previously championed this constitutional right while in opposition,” he remarked.
Obi expressed gratitude to the judge for halting the trial, noting that it helped to prevent further embarrassment for Nigeria as a democratic nation. He urged relevant authorities, including the minister of justice, the Police, the DSS and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to investigate the inhumane treatment of minors thoroughly to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In his reaction, Pantami asked the IGP to end the children’s ordeal.
In a statement he issued yesterday, Pantami said, “I respectfully request that you investigate this matter urgently and take necessary actions to ensure the immediate care and protection of these children and identify and hold accountable those responsible for their condition.”
The former minister urged him to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.
According to him, “Protecting the weak and vulnerable is a cornerstone of justice, and I trust that your office, in collaboration with other institutions, will take this matter seriously.”
British National Arraigned Over Protest
Similarly, the government brought charges against a 70-year-old British citizen, Andrew Martin Wynne, also known as Andrew Povic in connection with the protest.
In a case filed by DCP Simon Lough (SAN) from the Legal Prosecution Section of the Nigeria Police Force, one individual reportedly on the run is 70-year-old British citizen Andrew Martin Wynne, also known as Andrew Povich.
Last September, the Police declared Wynne wanted over an alleged attempt to “overthrow President Bola Tinubu.”
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