The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), has condemned the continued detention of minors who allegedly participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest.
CNG said the rights of the minors were violated after they were detained for over 90 days before they were arraigned at the Abuja High Court.
CNG in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi said the detention and arraignment of those frail, malnourished and hapless children have exposed the government as a desperate entity that is determined to de-market and embarrass Nigeria before the international community while presenting its credentials for medals in gross inhumanity.
“The continued detention and mistreatment of these minors is a gross violation of their basic rights, including the right to freedom of expression and assembly. CNG strongly condemns this abuse of power and the blatant disregard for the welfare and dignity of young citizens.
“The treatment these children are receiving highlights a troubling failure of state actors to prioritize the welfare and rights of its most vulnerable citizens, children, especially when their “crime” was to demand better governance and accountability”, CNG said.
The Coalition further stated that it is disheartening that in a country with a history of resilience and promise, minors are being made to endure starvation and harsh conditions while awaiting trial for daring to speak up for their future.
“This is not only a violation of domestic law but also contravenes international human rights principles protecting children from harm and unlawful detention”, the statement noted.
“Ideally, those children are supposed to be treated first as victims of state abuse and deprivation whose leaders have failed to provide the necessary leadership that can mold them into better members of the society as they are a direct outcome of our decayed system.
“It is shamefully despicable that criminals and bandits that are holding the entire country to ransom do not face such stringent consequences for their actions.
Meanwhile, the National Leader and Presidential Candidate of the NNPP for 2023, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, has urged the relevant authorities to ease the strict conditions imposed on minors involved in the #endbadgovernance# protests, so they can return to their families.
Kwankwaso made his views known in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen at the weekend.
“I am shocked by the arraignment of 67 minors by the Nigeria Police Force at a court in Abuja, for alleged participation in the End Bad Governance Protest.
“These children, who are malnourished and need medical attention have been subjected to a cruel experience when they should be in school,” he said.
He said that the arraignment of such several minors in their states is highly unusual and negates every tenet of the protection of human rights and dignity.
“As leaders, we must protect the most vulnerable, particularly children, women, old and the needy. And the government should not be at the forefront of this violation.
“I am particularly appalled by the stringent conditions set for their release, it is absurd that a teenager is ordered to source for 10 million Naira and a grade 15 civil servant for bail,” he said.
According to him, the Child’s Rights Act 2003, Section 11, protects the dignity of every child and protects them from any physical, mental, or emotional injury, abuse, neglect, or maltreatment.
“I request that the relevant authorities should immediately review their charges so that they can go back to their families and be responsible citizens.”
In a related development, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Saturday clarified that the recent arraignment of 76 individuals in court on charges bothering on terrorism, arson, and treasonable felony followed due process, respect for rule of law and Compassion
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Force Public Relations, FPRO, Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi’, the Police stated that the unexpected incident in courtroom on Friday, “which saw six of the suspects suddenly rush out and faint, drawing media attention, was a deliberate and scripted manner to draw negative attention.”
According to the statement, “The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has recently arraigned 76 individuals in court on charges including terrorism, arson, and treasonable felony.
“These serious allegations encompass offences such as the destruction of public property and threats to national security. In managing the detention and arraignment of these suspects, the NPF has rigorously adhered to legal provisions to ensure fairness and accountability under the rule of law.
“The suspects were initially presented in court, where they were formally charged, and a remand order was issued by the court. Throughout this process, the Police have worked to balance justice with compassion, ensuring that each suspect’s basic rights and privileges are respected, including access to medical care and other necessary provisions.
The statement however lamented that ” Today, an unexpected incident in court saw six of the suspects suddenly rush out and faint, drawing media attention in a deliberate and scripted manner to draw negative attention.
According to it, “Medical aid was promptly provided to these individuals, demonstrating the Police Force’s commitment to the welfare of those in its custody, irrespective of the allegations they face.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has refuted claims that it has been in custody of suspects arrested during the End Bad Governance protest in August this year.
On Friday, 76 suspects, made up of mostly minors who appeared malnourished, were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Spokesperson of NCoS, Umar Abubakar, however, said the suspects were rejected for lack of space in the custodial centres to accommodate them.
He described as misleading reports making the rounds in some sections of the media purporting that the suspects who were arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, for treason, during the End Bad Governance protest that held in August 2024, were remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in Abuja.
Making clarifications in response to the claims in a statement on Saturday in Abuja, Abubakar said: “There are misleading reports making the rounds in some sections of the media purporting that the suspects who were arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, for treason, during the End Bad Governance protest that held in August 2024, were remanded in one of the adult custodial centres in Abuja.
“The said report has no iota of truth as the Service operates based on best correctional and global practices. To set records straight, the Nigerian Correctional Service Act 2019 has empowered the Controllers of Corrections as well as Superintendents-in-charge of Custodial Centres not to admit juveniles in facilities meant for adults.
“The Act also mandates the Service to reject more intake of inmates where it is apparent that the custodial facility in question is filled to capacity.
“The Service wishes to inform the public that the said suspects were rejected and none of the suspects was remanded in adult custodial facilities as insinuated by the said report.
“The Service assures the public that the Nigerian Correctional Service would continue to emphasize professionalism as well as respect for human rights in line with the United Nations Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Juvenile offenders.
“Furthermore, the general public is enjoined to discountenance the said report as it is not the true position of things,” Abubakar stated.”
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