- On Friday, some of the protesters arrested who are mostly children were arraigned at a federal high court in Abuja.
- At the commencement of court proceedings, four of the alleged protesters hurriedly rushed out of the courtroom after they collapsed and writhed in pain.
Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) presidential candidates in 2023, has condemned the “inhumane treatment” of minors allegedly involved in #EndBadGovernance protests.
A nationwide protest from August 1-10 focused on economic hardship and “bad governance,” demanding reduced governance costs, a petrol subsidy regime return, food security, and fiscal discipline.
The protests turned violent in some areas, with looting and vandalism reported. Police arrested alleged perpetrators, and some child protesters were arraigned at a federal high court in Abuja.
During court proceedings, among the four alleged protesters collapsed and were rushed out. The court granted ₦10 million bail to 72 defendants and removed four ill children’s names from the charge.
Reacting, Abubakar criticized the federal government for arraigning minors, citing “horrific conditions” similar to Nazi concentration camps.
Abubakar wrote, “A disturbing video shows malnourished children arraigned before a Federal High Court on the Bola Tinubu-led government’s orders.”
He added, “The horrible scene reflects the low premium the government places on vulnerable lives, especially children.”
Abubakar noted the treatment violates the Child’s Rights Act, Section 11, protecting children from physical, mental, and emotional harm.
Speaking also, Obi called for an investigation into the minors’ treatment, saying, “I watched disturbing footage of 124 protesters, including minors, in court.”
Obi wrote, “The footage reveals weak, malnourished children, some fainting from exhaustion and lack of nourishment.”
He emphasized that protesting “bad governance” is a constitutional right in a democratic dispensation.
Obi appreciated the presiding judge’s decision to halt the trial, preventing further embarrassment for Nigeria.
Obi called for authorities to investigate the inhuman treatment to prevent future incidents.