According to Rimazonte Ezekiel, the Counsel to the Federal Government, the majority of the 76 individuals labeled as minors in connection with the #EndBadGovernance protests are, in fact, adults. This statement was made following the arraignment of these individuals, which has sparked significant public interest and concern.
Reports indicate that the protesters, arrested during demonstrations from August 1 to August 10, were presented in a Federal High Court in Abuja. This situation has drawn attention to the legal proceedings surrounding the protests and the treatment of those involved.
During the court appearance, it was noted that four individuals, including two who were described as minors, collapsed and required medical attention. Meanwhile, 114 of the arrested protesters were granted bail set at N10 million each, contingent upon the provision of two sureties for each individual.
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The case has raised alarms, especially regarding the treatment of minors within the legal system. Concerns have been voiced about the lack of appropriate facilities for minors, particularly in correctional contexts, leading to calls for investigations into their detention.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, who presided over the case, approved the bail after considering the arguments from defense lawyers and the prosecution’s stance. The hearing has been adjourned until January, leaving many awaiting further developments in the case.
The presence of minors among the suspects has generated widespread outrage across Nigeria. Human rights activists, civil society organizations, and various public figures have criticized the Tinubu administration for its handling of the situation.
In his remarks to journalists after the ruling, Ezekiel asserted that the individuals brought to court were not minors but rather adults, many of whom are married. He emphasized that the perception of them being minors was misleading.
Ezekiel further claimed that the younger individuals seen in the courtroom were merely there to support their family members and were not involved in the legal proceedings. He stressed that the real suspects were arrested in locations such as Kaduna and Zaria.
The counsel expressed frustration over the narrative surrounding the protests, questioning the motives of those seeking to destabilize Nigeria by using foreign symbols and calling for military intervention against the current government.
Finally, Ezekiel posed a rhetorical question about the fairness of forcing democratic governance on those who do not wish to participate in it, highlighting the complexities of the political landscape in Nigeria.
