By Blessing Chinagorom
Concerned Nigerians have reacted to the arraignment of some minors in Abuja Federal Court on Friday over their involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protest which began on August 01 and ended August 10, 2024.
It was reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, admitted the 114 protesters who were arraigned over their involvement in the End bad governance protest to 10 million naira bail each with two sureties each in like sum.
In the first 10-count charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/503/2024, 76 defendants were listed while in the four-count charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/527/2024, 43 persons were listed as defendants, making a total of 119 defendants.
However, a total of 114 were later arraigned due to the ill-health of five who are children among the defendants. NAN earlier reported that 4 out of the 76 defendants in the first charge collapsed in open court when the trial commenced.
Amnesty International in a statement said the 114 protesters arraigned on Friday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, have done nothing unlawful and do not deserve the horrifying treatment they have endured since their arrest.
Speaking on the four minors who collapsed during the hearings, Amnesty underscored poor state of their mental, physical health, adding that subjecting some minors to such horrifying detention for demanding good governance reveals the govt’s clear determination to crush dissent.Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar on X said this 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.
According to him, “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 dignity of his person,
“And accordingly, no child shall be subjected to physical, mental or emotional injury, abuse, neglect or maltreatment, including sexual abuse; (b) subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.”
He said, If they are just being arraigned three months after being prosecuted over alleged role in EndBadGovernance protests, which took place in August, one can only imagine the sort of dehumanizing conditions they had been subjected to and have been detained all this while.Atiku said further that he find it reprehensible that a man who claims to have fought for Nigeria’s democracy and had led protests now demonises those who decide to demonstrate against the effects of his harsh and draconian policies.
“Children who are the most affected by these policies have right to protest peacefully, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the Child Rights Act. A nation can be assessed by the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens.
“It is saddening that even underage children are not spared from the wickedness of T Pain. The disturbing condition under which the alleged accused children were brought to court projects the very justification for their participation in the protest in the first place
The NNPP Presidential Candidate and former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso in his reaction on X expressed shock by this arraignment, stating that these minors, who obviously malnourished have been subjected to a cruel experience when they should be in school. He said the arraignment of such number of minors in their states is highly unusual and negates every tenet of protection of human rights and dignity. “As leaders, it is our duty to protect most vulnerable, particularly the children, women, old and the needy.
He appalled by the stringent conditions set for their release, it is absurd that a teenager is ordered to source for 10 million Naira and a grade 15 civil servant for bail.
“The Child’s Rights Act 2003, Section 11, protects the dignity of every child and protects them from any physical, mental or emotional injury, abuse, neglect or maltreatment”.
Kwankwaso requested that the relevant authorities should immediately review their charges so that they can go back to their families and be responsible citizens. “And the government should not be at the forefront of this violation”, he said.
Contrarily to others, Reno Omokri, aide to former Vice President Atiku said anybody saying that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hates Arewa because of this prosecution of these teenagers is just gaslighting. He said, it is so sad to see Buhari administration appointees stoking such sentiments. “My question to these Buhari administration officials is this: What should be done with teenagers who are suspected of looting or destroying public property?
Omokri said further that should these children be given a big sloppy kiss and a medal? While added that there is absolutely nothing wrong with prosecuting teenagers.
“Please fact-check me: It happens in EVERY country on Earth. Should they be treated the same way protestors were treated at Lekki Tollgate during #EndSARS? Of course not.
He revealed that teenagers have even been sentenced to life imprisonment in Europe, Canada and America. “The only thing that is wrong is if they are maltreated while under investigation, detention and prosecution.
I condemn that, and the Attorney General should look into it. They should be treated humanely. ₦200 billion worth of damage to public property was done during this so-called #EndBadGovernance protest. “If you are old enough to join in the destruction of public and private property, you are also old enough to do the time except in cases where there is mental incapacity. Otherwise, there will be a breakdown of law and order in society.
“Any Presidential candidate who did not condemn the looting and destruction of public and private property lacks the moral authority to condemn the prosecution of these teens”, Omokri said.
Meanwhile, the Attorney General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi has stepped into this matter in line with the Provision of Section 174 of the Nigerian Constitution, according to the statement released on Friday.
The Attorney General said he has been notified that the police have arraigned those arrested in connection with the endbad governance violent protest in court for various offences including treason.
According to him, “There are some issues my office will need to look into regarding the matter to enable me take informed decision. I am aware the court has remanded the defendants in detention centres and adjourned the case to January.
“It is not within my power to vary the order of the court remanding defendants in detention centres and adjourning the case to January”.
Fagbemi said, however, he directed the Nigeria Police to transfer the casefile to my office and hand over same to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) tomorrow, Saturday 2nd November, 2024.
And also 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).
