The release of 72 minors detained and charged for treason, who allegedly participated in the #ENDBADGOVERNANCE protest three months ago, is the most disgusting and shameful thing ever inflicted on the psyche of the already traumatised Nigerians by the President Bola Ahamed Tinubu administration.
However one may view it, the arraignment of school children in a court meant for adults, never heard in the history of this country, speaks volumes how low we have degenerated as a country, especially for those who brazenly use the instrumentality of government powers without recourse to what their actions would result in the long run. Leaders most times are unpredictable, meaning that what sycophants in the corridors of power think is impossible can actually be made possible by the leader who has a large heart and is seen to be on the side of the people.
Releasing these minors on the order of Mr. President is a master stroke, to the disappointment of those who believe that eye service is the proper way to retain one’s job. Prior to their release, the lawyers claimed that the children were dehumanised and deprived of their basic rights by the Nigerian police right from the day they were arrested and detained. Nigerians were enraged seeing these minors arraigned on November 1, 2024 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, and slammed with treasonable charges, punishable by death.
Commentators on national issues, including human rights lawyers and civil society organisations, at the time described the incarceration of the minors as the shame of the nation, and called for their immediate release and the charges leveled against them be dropped immediately. The Nigerian police, regrettably, have been on the radar for several years based on the way some of the officers carry out their duties. The #ENDSARS protest that jolted the force and rocked the nation came as a result of police brutality and unprofessional conduct of some of the rank and file of the force. The 1999 Constitution as amended clearly approves of citizens’ right to protest peacefully whenever they feel government is not doing the right thing to ameliorate the people’s suffering.
But in the recent time, the government has not hidden the fact that it’s out to silence the opposition groups and critics of the administration. Going after peaceful protesters in a democracy negates the principles of its practice, and therefore raises the issue on how citizens are supposed to express themselves under civil rule. While we are not holding brief for those whose actions are inimical to the growth of the society, we want to put it on record that the trial of Nigerian children in an appeal court in the first place was uncalled for when there are juvenile courts to try them. We view it as miscarriage of justice and should be condemned unequivocally by all lovers of democracy.
The ugly precedent set is not good for our democracy and should not be condoned, going forward. Again, the judiciary is called to question with this unhealthy development. We strongly believe that there are other minors currently languishing in the Nigerian correctional centres nationwide. They should be freed and charges against them be dropped without further delay. While we bemoan the numbers of out-of-school children in the country, we frown at any move by government functionaries, hiding under the law to create further chaos in the nation. Those children detained and now released on the directives of the President, deserves some form of rehabilitation given the psychological trauma they passed through for three months, taken away from their parents and deprived of their education. They need some measure of adequate care, beyond the freedom regained. The government should use part of police funds to resettle these children, at least, to deter them from acting overzealously, and to forestall a repeat of the shameful episode in the future.
