Minor Collapses in Court During Arraignment of Protesters in Nigeria

 

A distressing scene unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja on November 1, when a minor, among 76 individuals set to be arraigned for their involvement in the recent EndBadGovernance protests across Nigeria, collapsed before the proceedings began. The boy, who is approximately 15 years old, was brought into the courtroom alongside 75 other minors, all of whom appeared malnourished and unkempt.

As the court session commenced and trial Justice Obiora Egwuatu was about to read the charges, the minor suddenly slumped, prompting an immediate response from court officials. The judge swiftly halted the proceedings and retreated to his chambers while the boy was assisted by lawyers present in the courtroom, who rushed him to the court’s clinic for medical attention. The atmosphere in the courtroom was charged with emotion, as many of the co-defendants, also primarily minors, wept uncontrollably.

Deji Adeyanju, one of the lawyers representing the defendants, revealed that the group had spent over 80 days in police custody. The 76 individuals are facing a 10-count charge, labeled FCH/ABJ/CS/503/2024, stemming from arrests made in Abuja and Kano during protests held in August.

The police, led by DCP Simon Lough, SAN, allege that the defendants, in concert with others still at large, conspired to commit felonies with the intent to destabilize Nigeria between July 31 and August 4. Among the serious accusations is treason, an offense which falls under Section 96 of the Penal Code and is punishable under Section 97.

The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of minors in custody and the broader implications of the legal actions taken against those involved in the protests.