Amnesty International has strongly condemned the detention of minors who allegedly participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest, describing their detainment as unlawful and a clear disregard for the law by President Bola Tinubu’s government.
In a series of posts, Amnesty International demanded the unconditional release of all detained minors, emphasizing that putting them through a sham trial for alleged treason shows the government’s utter disregard for the rule of law.
“Amnesty International condemns President Bola Tinubu’s government for the continued detention of minors for participating in the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests,” the post reads.
“The attempts to put the minors through a sham trial over alleged ‘treason’ shows the government’s utter disregard for the rule of law. The authorities must release them immediately and unconditionally.”
Amnesty International noted that the detention of minors for participating in protests against hunger and corruption is a deadly attempt to suppress freedom of assembly.
“President Bola Tinubu must unconditionally release minors detained since August,” the organization urged.
In Katsina, at least 12 children under 16 years old were detained simply for being on the streets during the protests. These children now face the risk of being tried on trumped-up charges.
Amnesty International emphasized that the Nigerian authorities detained these minors unlawfully, subjecting them to horrifying experiences for exercising their right to peaceful protest.
The #EndBadGovernance protest, held nationwide between August 1 and 10, demanded a reduction in the cost of governance, return of the petrol subsidy regime, food security, and fiscal discipline.
However, the protest turned violent in some areas, and hoodlums looted and vandalized properties. The police arrested alleged perpetrators, and some, mostly children, were brought before a federal high court in Abuja.
During the court proceedings, four alleged protesters collapsed and were rushed out of the courtroom. The court granted N10 million bail to 72 defendants and removed the four sick children’s names from the charge, while the remaining defendants pleaded not guilty.
