Nineteen suspects — including three minors — have been arraigned before a Borno state high court over their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protest that took place in August.
The defendants were arraigned before Aisha Ali on two separate charges preferred against them by the police.
The defendants are being accused of treason, using social media to defame the state governor, and inciting citizens against the state.
The three minors, aged 14 to 17, are alleged to be among the seven who conspired to form a social media group called ‘Zanga-zanga (protest)’ on WhatsApp and Tiktok, where they allegedly agreed to take up arms against the state.
The offence is punishable under Section 79 of the Borno State Penal Code Law, 2023.
Eleven defendants were accused of displaying the Russian flag in public, contrary to Section 42 and punishable under Section 76(b) of the Penal Code Law of the state.
However, when the charges were read to the defendants, they all pleaded not guilty.
In his submission, Yakubu Adamu, defence council, called for an expedited trial, noting that the accused had already spent more than 90 days in police custody.
“It’s only when the accelerated hearing is given to this case that justice shall be given to these young people and minors arraigned before the court,” he said.
“By this, the case will be faster and judgment will be delivered within a short period of time. That is why we applied for it.”
The presiding judge adjourned the case to November 18, 2024, for the continuation of the hearing.
She also directed that the minors be taken to a juvenile home, while the adult defenders be remanded in prison till the next sitting.
BACKGROUND
In August, Nigerians embarked on a protest against economic hardship and spiralling inflation. The rallies turned violent in some parts of the country.
Some protesters were seen waving Russian flags in certain northern states.
On November 1, the federal government arraigned 76 persons, including 28 minors, who allegedly took part in the protest, and charged them with treason.
Some of the minors had collapsed while waiting to be arraigned.
Obiora Egwuatu, the presiding judge, granted N10 million bail to the defendants, adding that they must provide two sureties in like sum.
Egwuatu specified that one of the sureties must be a civil servant of grade level 15 or higher, with a verifiable address within the court’s jurisdiction, while the other surety must be a parent of the defendant.
The arraignment of the minors had generated condemnation from within and outside Nigeria.
Amnesty International described the detention of the minors as unlawful, noting that the action shows the government’s disregard for the law.
Other Nigerians, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Peter Obi, ex-governor of Anambra; and Shehu Sani, a former senator; also criticised the arraignment of the minors.
However, President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, ordered the release of the underaged defendants without prejudice to the trial.
