Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has directed that treason charges be dropped against all minors detained during anti-government protests in August, Information Minister Mohammed Idris said on Monday.
At least 76 people, including 30 minors, were charged with treason and inciting a military coup after they took part in deadly August protests against economic hardship.
The minors’ arraignment sparked public outrage and criticism of the government after they were paraded in court last Friday.
Lawyers and civil society groups had weighed in on the matter, slamming the government for its insensitivity and calling for the review of the nation’s judicial system.
One of the senior lawyers and former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), JB Daudu, denounced the detention and arraignment of the minors moved from Kano to Abuja, labeling it a “caricature of federalism.”
He said the minors should have been charged with lesser offences, such as conduct likely to cause a breach of peace or unlawful assembly, rather than treason.
“The only thing obscene about the Federal High Court proceedings in Abuja yesterday is the nature of the charge, which is allegedly treason,” Daudu stated.
“Minors, if they are less than 16 years, are usually treated as adults when they are found committing crimes.”
The learned silk said the Attorney General of the Federation lacked locus to charge the young men for offences committed within their respective states.
He contended that the state governments have abdicated their responsibilities to the federal government, neglecting the rights of their citizens.
In a statement in Kaduna, the senior lawyer questioned the necessity of moving the defendants to Abuja, citing it as a failure of the system.
He highlighted the inhumane treatment of the defendants, who have spent over three months in dehumanizing detention conditions.
“The defendants have already spent over three months in very dehumanizing detention conditions. This is very inhumane and a breach of their fundamental rights,” Daudu said.
He had urged the Federal Government to discontinue the charges and release those charged with state offences, providing adequate rehabilitative compensation.
He also advocated for a multi-departmental inquiry into the matter, emphasizing the need for Nigeria to re-engineer its systems to ensure justice and accountability.
“We rightly ought to feel a collective sense of guilt and shame. I call on FGN to discontinue these charges and release all those charged for these state offenses, with adequate rehabilitative compensation paid to them,” Daudu stated.
Daudu’s comments come amidst growing concerns about Nigeria’s justice system and its treatment of minors. The case highlights the need for reform and accountability within the system.
