Outrage Erupts As 32 ‘Malnourished’ Minors Face Treason Charges Four Faint In Court

Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis, Deborah Musa, Nathaniel Shaibu, Olufemi Adediran, Ismaeel Uthman, Imoleayo Oyedei, Ayoola Olasupo, Daniel Ayantoye, Muhammed Lawal, and Tope Omogbolagun report that Nigerians are expressing outrage over the arraignment of 76 protesters,..……CONTINUE READING 

including 32 minors, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The group was detained following participation in #EndBadGovernance protests in August.

Civil society organizations and rights advocates have condemned the police and government actions in this case. The defendants, held in detention for three months, were arrested across Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano. The Inspector General of Police arraigned them on multiple charges, including treason, attempts to destabilize Nigeria, and incitement to mutiny, alleging calls for the military to overthrow the government of President Bola Tinubu.

The protests, held from August 1 to August 10, focused on economic hardship, high governance costs, and calls to reinstate the petrol subsidy, secure food supplies, and ensure fiscal discipline. Protests turned violent in some regions, leading to looting and property damage.

During the court session on Friday, 32 minors—reportedly between 14 and 17 years old—appeared visibly unwell and malnourished, with footage showing them scrambling for food and water. Four children collapsed in court, causing a temporary suspension as they were rushed out for medical attention. Justice Egwuatu, disturbed by the scene, later insisted on accommodating all defendants in the courtroom.

The defense counsel argued for the children’s discharge on humanitarian grounds, citing inadequate nourishment in detention. However, the court denied full acquittal, instead granting bail for the four sick minors and setting stringent bail conditions for others, including a bond of ₦10 million each.

Public response has been critical, with the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemning the treatment of the minors as a violation of human rights. NBA President Afam Osigwe stated that the case reflects poorly on Nigeria’s justice system, questioning the handling of detainees. Senior Advocate Isiaka Olagunju pointed out violations of the Child Rights Act, which mandates that minors should be tried in family court rather than a federal court. He stressed that detaining children alongside adults violates both national and international standards for juvenile justice.