The detention and prosecution of 76 suspects, including 32 minors, following the #EndBadGovernance protests have sparked widespread outrage in Nigeria. The protest, which occurred in early August 2024, involved calls for economic reforms, reduced governance costs, and the reinstatement of the petrol subsidy. Arrests were made across various states, and suspects have faced charges including treason and incitement to mutiny, with some allegations involving calls for military intervention.
The arraignment has been widely condemned by civil rights organizations, legal experts, and political figures. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) criticized the treatment of minors and the lack of adherence to the Child Rights Act, which mandates that minors be tried in family courts rather than federal courts. Further criticism came from high-profile figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party candidate Peter Obi, both condemning the administration’s response to civil protests. Amnesty International and other human rights groups have also demanded the immediate release of all detainees, particularly the minors, citing human rights violations.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court has granted bail to the defendants, setting terms that include a N10 million bond per defendant, but did not acquit the minors. The ruling requires that those under 18 be held in a juvenile detention facility, while adults are to be remanded in Kuje Custodial Centre. However, with a bail amount totaling N760 million, concerns remain over accessibility for families to secure release. Calls for action have emerged from national and international organizations, with some vowing legal recourse should the Nigerian government fail to release the detainees or ensure adherence to lawful treatment standards.
