32 Nigerian minors charged with treason over “End Bad Governance” protests
Thirty-two Nigerian minors, aged between 14 and 17, are facing charges of treason and incitement to a military coup after participating in the “EndBadGovernance” protests in August.
The protests, which were held to highlight economic hardship, spanned from August 1 to 10, drawing attention nationwide to issues such as high governance costs, demands to reinstate the petrol subsidy, food security, and calls for greater fiscal discipline.
On Friday, November 1, Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police arraigned the minors along with 76 suspects at the Federal High Court in Abuja. The defendants, reportedly detained for three months, face a 10-count charge, including accusations of treason, intentions to destabilise Nigeria, and incitement to mutiny by calling for military intervention against President Bola Tinubu's government.
Footage of the minors appearing undernourished while being arraigned circulated widely on social media, drawing strong condemnation from civil society groups and rights advocates.
According to Punch Nigeria, four of the minors collapsed while being called to enter their pleas and were escorted out for medical assistance. The court subsequently granted bail, with trial proceedings scheduled to resume in January, according to defence attorneys.
Amnesty International reported that at least 13 people were killed during clashes with security forces on the protests’ first day, further intensifying scrutiny of the government’s response to the demonstrations.
