Outrage as Nigeria Arraigns 76 Protesters Including 32 Minors Over #EndBadGovernance Demonstrations

Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian government is facing widespread condemnation following the arraignment of 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters—32 of whom are minors—before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The defendants, who have been in detention since their arrest in August 2024 during nationwide protests, were charged with treason, inciting mutiny, and intent to destabilize the country. The charges stem from demonstrations held across major states, including Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Gombe, Jos, and Katsina, where protesters decried economic hardship, rising governance costs, and insecurity.

During their arraignment on Friday, disturbing scenes unfolded in the courtroom as four malnourished minors collapsed and had to be carried out. Viral video clips showed the visibly weak children scrambling for water and biscuits, sparking a national outcry.

Justice Egwuatu adjourned proceedings to restore order, later ruling that adults among the accused be remanded in Kuje Custodial Centre while minors be taken to the Borstal Centre in Gwagwalada. Four of the sick minors were temporarily discharged pending medical recovery, but not acquitted.

The bail terms set were steep—₦10 million each and two sureties, including a Level 15 civil servant and a parent—conditions many view as excessive and unattainable for the mostly impoverished defendants.

Civil society organizations, legal experts, and political leaders condemned the actions of the government and law enforcement agencies. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) described the prosecution of minors as a “gross violation of fundamental rights” and a breach of the Child Rights Act. NBA President, Afam Osigwe, said, “It makes the credence of our correctional facilities questionable and paints a negative image of Nigeria globally.”

Senior Advocates of Nigeria Isiaka Olagunju and Prof. Shehu Zuru noted the illegality of trying minors in federal courts and detaining them with adults, which contravenes both Nigerian and international law. “This is a breach of the Child Rights Act,” Olagunju said. “Minors must be tried in family courts.”

Political leaders also weighed in. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar compared the courtroom scenes to Nazi-era concentration camps and called for the immediate release of the children. Labour Party's Peter Obi demanded an investigation into the “inhumane treatment” of minors.

Human rights organizations including Amnesty International, SERAP, and the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) called the trial a “sham” and a “disgrace,” demanding the unconditional release of all detainees.

The Northern Elders Forum described the accusations of treason against children as a “disturbing distortion of legal and moral principles,” urging global human rights bodies to intervene.

The Federal Government has not responded to the growing backlash. Meanwhile, Nigerians continue to voice their outrage online and in public forums, seeing the incident as a stark symbol of declining civil liberties under the Tinubu administration.