President Bola Tinubu has accused northern minors of terrorism and plotting to overthrow his government due to their participation in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests in August.
The minors arrived at the Federal High Court in Abuja in visibly poor condition, appearing malnourished and disheveled. Reports indicate that Tinubu has requested the court impose the death penalty.
A video circulating on Friday shows some of the young male protesters visibly weak and distressed, lying on the floor as others offered them biscuits and bottled water. The footage has sparked significant public outcry.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong has strongly criticized the Tinubu administration for what he describes as a “mockery of the criminal justice system.” Effiong questioned how the government expects the international community and potential investors to view Nigeria seriously when minors are paraded before the court in such dehumanizing conditions for their alleged involvement in a peaceful protest.
Effiong stated, “The Tinubu regime is making a mockery of our criminal justice system. You expect the international community and investors to take Nigeria seriously, but you’re parading minors before a Federal High Court in the most dehumanizing conditions because they allegedly took part in protests. We cannot continue like this.”
