Pressure Mounts on Nigerian Government to Drop Charges Against Minors Detained for Protests

The Nigerian government is under increasing pressure to dismiss charges against a group of minors following public outrage over their detention conditions.

These minors, among a total of 76 individuals charged with serious offenses such as treason and public disturbance, were arrested for their alleged involvement in protests against the rising cost of living.

The minors, aged 14 to 17, have been in custody for three months since their arrests in August. Disturbing footage of the young defendants fainting in court in Abuja has ignited outrage among politicians and civil society activists.

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi described the scenes as troubling, noting that some minors appeared too weak to stand due to exhaustion and inadequate nourishment.

Amnesty International condemned the “horrifying detentions,” calling them a severe attempt to suppress peaceful assembly. In response, the Nigerian Inspector General of Police denied any mistreatment of the detainees, claiming that medical aid was provided and stating that age does not exempt individuals from legal consequences.

On Friday, the minors were granted bail, and their case is scheduled to go to trial in January. Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), a Nigerian human rights organization, urged President Bola Tinubu to take action and release the minors within 48 hours. They emphasized that the minors and other protesters were detained for peacefully exercising their rights and called for an investigation into the violations they faced.

Reports indicate that the Minister of Justice and Attorney General Lateef Fagbemi has initiated steps to potentially drop the charges against the minors.