President Bola Tinubu on Monday directed the Attorney General of the Federation to do everything possible to ensure the immediate release of minors detained by the Nigeria Police in connection with the recent protests without prejudice to whatever legal processes are ongoing.
He also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to ensure the safe return of all the minors to their families while an investigation has been opened into the circumstances leading to their prolonged detention.
It would be recalled that chaos occured yesterday at the federal high court in Abuja, as several children, who reportedly participated in the #EndBadGovernance protests, collapsed while awaiting their arraignment.
As proceedings commenced, the visibly unwell and malnourished children were called to the front to enter their pleas. In a distressing turn of events, four children suddenly rushed out of the courtroom after collapsing. The presiding judge, Obiora Egwuatu, was compelled to suspend the session until the order was restored.
When court resumed, the prosecution requested the removal of the names of the four ailing children from the charges, a request that was granted. The remaining defendants were subsequently arraigned.
A total of 76 defendants, arrested across Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states, face charges including treason and various other offences. The nationwide protests against economic hardship and poor governance took place from August 1 to 10, with demonstrators calling for reduced governance costs, the reinstatement of petrol subsidies, food security, and greater fiscal discipline.
