The Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED) unequivocally condemns the unlawful detention of minors who were apprehended during the #Endbadgovernance protests held in August this year.
These protests were a significant expression of public dissent against pressing issues of widespread hunger and economic distress that have been affecting the citizens since the assumption of office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The participation of young individuals in these demonstrations highlights their awareness and concern for the socio-economic challenges facing their communities and the country at large.
CHRICED is disturbed by the prolonged detention of minors, who appeared in court in a state of severe hunger and malnutrition, as evidence of the inhumane conditions they endured while incarcerated.
It may be necessary for the government to be reminded that these children could be part of the Almajiri street children population in Northern Nigeria, which is a segment of the over 10 million children who are out of school nationwide.
As a nation, Nigeria has persistently failed to support these children, and consequently, the government lacks the moral authority to treat them as criminals and fugitives within their own homeland.
We call for the immediate and unconditional release of these minors, as their continued detention is not only unjust but also represents a severe infringement of their fundamental human rights.
Such actions are in direct violation of several key legal frameworks designed to protect the rights of children.
Specifically, this detention contravenes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which emphasizes the need to protect children from arbitrary detention and to ensure their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
Furthermore, the Child Rights Act, which is intended to safeguard the rights and welfare of children in our society, is being disregarded in this instance.
The Administration of Criminal Justice Act also stipulates that minors should be treated with special consideration and care, recognizing their vulnerability and the need for rehabilitation rather than punishment.
The unlawful detention of these minors not only undermines their rights but also sends a troubling message about the treatment of young voices in civic engagement.
It is imperative that the government and relevant authorities recognize the importance of upholding the rights of all citizens, particularly the youth, who are the future of our nation.
We urge immediate action to rectify this situation and ensure that such violations do not occur in the future.
The protection of human rights, especially for the most vulnerable members of society, must be a priority for any sane nation.
For a nation that purports to uphold democratic values, the dehumanizing treatment of its citizens is profoundly concerning.
Nigeria has reached an unprecedented low in this regard. Historically, even during the most oppressive military regimes, minors were not subjected to felony charges.
The intolerant stance of President Tinubu’s APC government towards citizens exercising their rights to protest and freedom of expression signals a troubling trend, indicating that the administration is rapidly moving away from the tenets of democracy and is increasingly veering towards authoritarianism.
Charging underaged young protesters for treason, felony and inciting to mutiny also speaks to the degree of intolerance of the Tinubu-led government to dissenting voices.
CHRICED strongly denounces the arbitrary bail conditions set forth by Judge Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court.
Requiring impoverished and malnourished children to pay N10 million each in bail bonds is, at the very least, reckless, obnoxious, and insensitive.
This requirement appears to be a deliberate strategy to prolong their detention beyond the time they have already spent awaiting trial, as none of the accused can realistically fulfill the court’s bail stipulations.
One might question whether Judge Obiora Egwuatu would have made the same unjust decision if these children were his own.
We urge the National Judicial Commission to intervene and ensure that Judge Egwuatu does not further tarnish the reputation of a judiciary that is already struggling for public trust in Nigeria.
The judiciary must uphold the principles of justice and resist being manipulated to suppress dissenting voices.
CHRICED urge the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organizations, and all conscientious Nigerians to come together in a unified call for the immediate and unconditional release of these detained minors.
These children are not criminals; rather, they are victims of the adverse conditions imposed upon them by President Tinubu’s policies, and it is imperative that we advocate for their rights and well-being.
The collective action of concerned citizens and institutions is essential to ensure that justice prevails and that the dignity of these young individuals is restored.