The Governors of Bauchi and Kano States and the Arewa Consultative Forum have demanded the release of the minors facing trial for treason in the Abuja Federal High Court.
The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has directed the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice to take steps toward securing the release of the minors arrested for allegedly demanding regime change, while participating in the #Endbad governance protests in Kano and Kaduna between August 1 to 10.
The state commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Baba Halilu Dantiye, who confirmed the development, said that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, had on Friday, arraigned 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, among whom were minors.
Viral videos of the malnourished children sparked outrage with some civil society groups calling for their immediate and unconditional release from detention.
The 76 protesters were arraigned in two batches, 32 of whom were children.
The first batch was arraigned on a 10-count bordering on treason, intent to destabilize Nigeria, inciting to mutiny by calling on the military to take over government from President Bola Tinubu, among others.
They pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted N10 million bail each.
However, Dantiye said that the Kano governor demanded the release of the minors via his X handle.
“The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has instructed the state’s Commissioner for Justice to act on the development,’’ the commissioner said.
“My attention has been drawn to the appearance of teenagers (some believed to be from Kano) in court today (Friday) in Abuja.
“The Commissioner of Justice has been instructed to act immediately on the issue. We shall do everything possible to get them back to Kano, Insha Allah,” the governor’s statement read on X.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party Governors Forum and Governor of Bauchi State. Bala Mohammed, said the North “must wake up” concerning the children arraigned for protesting.
Bala, who posted the admonition on his official Facebook handle on Saturday, expressed concern over the development.
“I was deeply troubled after watching the video of children who were arraigned in court yesterday (Friday), accused of attempting to overthrow the government, theft, and inciting unrest during the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
“The visible devastation, hunger, and malnourishment of these children reflect the harsh treatment they face in prison or at the hands of security forces,” he wrote in Hausa.
Bala maintained that the event highlighted how disunited northern leaders are when it comes to issues affecting the region.
“More than anything, it exposes the lack of good governance and the discordant voices that plague the North. As a parent and concerned citizen, I extend my sympathies and urge security agencies and the judiciary to uphold the right to freedom of expression and respect fundamental human rights,” he said.
Considering the severe economic hardship and inflation in the country, the governor advised that the children should be released immediately.
“It is unreasonable to demand ten million naira in bail from those struggling to afford even one meal a day. Instead, I appeal for leniency, especially for those proven to be innocent. I also call upon our clerics and leaders: #MuTashiMuFarkaYanArewa — We must wake up, fellow Northerners,” he said.
The arraignment of these minors in Court in Abuja on Friday, after detaining them for about 90 days, has been widely condemned by senior lawyers and civil society organizations and prominent Nigerians as an abuse of the rights of the child.
GIK/APA