Twenty-nine protestor minors arraigned in court, charged for treason, and could face the death penalty
Twenty-nine under aged boys who were arrested during the #EndBadGovernance hunger protest may face the death penalty after being arraigned on Friday in an Abuja court for their involvement in the protest against the nation’s escalating cost-of-living crisis. Four of the children collapsed in court from exhaustion prior to entering a plea.
In total, 76 individuals were charged with ten felony offenses, including treason, property destruction, public disturbance, and mutiny, as detailed in the charge sheet reviewed by The Associated Press. The minors involved are reported to be between the ages of 14 and 17.
The ongoing frustration regarding the cost-of-living crisis has sparked numerous mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 individuals were killed, and hundreds were arrested during a demonstration advocating for improved job opportunities for the youth.
Although the death penalty was reinstated in Nigeria during the 1970s, there have been no executions in the country since 2016. Akintayo Balogun, a private attorney in Abuja, emphasized that the Child Rights Act prohibits any child from facing criminal proceedings that could lead to a death sentence. “Thus, bringing minors before a federal high court is fundamentally incorrect unless the government can demonstrate that the individuals are all over 19 years old,” Balogun stated.
The court has set bail at 10 million naira ($5,900) for each defendant, along with strict conditions that have yet to be fulfilled, according to Marshal Abubakar, the attorney representing some of the minors. “A nation that is responsible for educating its children should not choose to punish them. These minors have been detained for 90 days without adequate food,” Abubakar remarked.
Yemi Adamolekun, the executive director of Enough is Enough, a civil society organization advocating for good governance in Nigeria, asserted that authorities should not be prosecuting children. “The chief justice of Nigeria should feel a sense of shame; she is both a woman and a mother,” Adamolekun added.
Despite being one of Africa’s leading producers of crude oil, Nigeria continues to rank among the poorest nations globally. Endemic corruption has resulted in a significant disparity between the lifestyles of public officials and those of the general populace. Medical professionals frequently engage in strikes to voice their dissatisfaction with inadequate salaries.
The politicians and lawmakers in Nigeria, often under scrutiny for corrupt practices, are among the highest-paid in Africa. Additionally, the president’s wife, whose role is not defined in the constitution, enjoys access to luxury vehicles and other amenities funded by taxpayers.
With a population exceeding 210 million, Nigeria is not only the most populous country on the continent but also one of the hungriest worldwide. The government has faced challenges in generating employment opportunities. Currently, the inflation rate has reached a 28-year peak, and the local naira is at an all-time low against the dollar.
On Thursday, a report from United Nations food agencies designated Nigeria as a “hotspot of very high concern,” indicating that a significant number of individuals are currently experiencing or are expected to experience critical levels of acute food insecurity in the country.
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