#EndBadGovernance: Peter Obi reacts to inhumane treatment of minors, calls for probe
by Adenle Ahmed Abiola · The Eagle OnlineThe 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has condemned the inhumane treatment of minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August.
A dramatic scene unfolded at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday as five minors were among those put on trial.
They were on trial for alleged treasonable felony and attempting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government collapsed while standing in the courtroom.
According to reports, the incident began when one malnourished minor fainted, followed by four others who also fell to the floor, creating chaos as court proceedings were interrupted.
The reportedly frail-looking minor slumped as the charge was about to be read, prompting the judge to halt proceedings and return to his chambers.
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Reacting in a statement via his X handle, Obi urged the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Police, Department of State Services, and National Human Rights Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into the treatment of these minors.
The former two-term Anambra State governor wrote: “I just watched disturbing and condemnable scenes captured in a circulating video showing 124 protesters, including minors, appearing in court today to secure the enforcement of their fundamental rights.
“The footage reveals minors so weak they could barely stand, with others fainting from sheer exhaustion and lack of nourishment. These children appeared visibly malnourished—a condition that should alarm the conscience of every citizen in our nation.”
The former Anambra governor emphasized that these minors were poorly treated while in federal custody.
“The offense alleged against these suspects, including minors, is protesting against bad governance that directly affects their livelihoods—a right guaranteed by our constitution under a democratic dispensation.
“Ironically, many in government today previously championed this constitutional right while in opposition,” he pointed out.
Obi underscored the need for dignity even for those in custody, stating, “Our legal framework assumes that suspects deserve humane treatment, even in correctional facilities.
“This situation is concerning because we are part of a global community that values human dignity.”
He expressed appreciation for the presiding judge’s decision to halt the trial, which prevented further embarrassment for Nigeria as a democratic nation.
“I urge relevant authorities, especially the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, the Police, the DSS, and the National Human Rights Commission, to thoroughly investigate this inhumane treatment of minors to prevent similar incidents in the future,” he concluded.
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