The recent arraignment of several minors and other young people at a Federal High Court in Abuja for an alleged offense committed three months ago—protesting against bad governance with the hashtag #EndBadGovernance—has stirred significant controversy within Nigeria’s criminal justice system.
The amended 1999 Constitution guarantees the right to lawful assembly and to protest against unfavorable government policies. This right was exercised by a prominent opposition party during the Jonathan administration when it protested the increase in petroleum prices.
The treatment of these young protesters has revealed concerning flaws within the country’s justice system. Notably, the minors and teens were charged with sedition, a high crime that, if proven, carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment or even the death sentence. However, this offense, under normal circumstances, should have been addressed as a civil matter in a magistrate’s court and should have been bailable. Notably, the previous #EndSARS protests, which were larger in scale, did not face such extreme charges as sedition or treason.
A closer examination of the detainees reveals that many resemble almajiris, typically associated with the northern region of Nigeria, where the protests took place. These young protesters were arrested in various states, not just within the Federal Capital Territory, and held in Abuja for over three months before being brought to court. Some of them reportedly fainted in court due to exhaustion, maltreatment, and harsh conditions in detention.
Adding to public concern, the court set an unprecedented bail amount of N10 million, with conditions as stringent as those often imposed by the IMF and World Bank on indebted nations.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to approach issues with empathy and respect for human rights, especially when addressing legitimate protests by citizens who have placed their trust in his leadership, a trust he earned during his time as Governor of Lagos State. However, the perceived “Lagos mentality” of assertiveness and overconfidence risks drawing Nigeria toward dangerous waters.
The administration must adopt a more strategic, broad-minded, and inclusive approach, acting as a president for all Nigerians, rather than relying on outdated methods. Calls for the reintroduction of the old National Anthem underscore the sentiment that a parliamentary system of governance may better serve the nation’s current needs.
Peaceful protests against bad governance are an inalienable right protected by the Constitution. With the 2027 election cycle approaching, it is wise for the government to handle such matters thoughtfully, ensuring political health and stability, so it may run successfully in the future. Now is the time for the administration to reconsider its approach.
Having said all that it is absolutely reprehensible and outrageously condemnable to support in any shape or form the destructive nature of the protest which led to massive looting of public and private property. One such abominable act was the destruction of the newly constructed NCC park equipped with ultra modern equipments of cutting edge technology. Other public properties destroyed during the protest included the burning of the oldest building housing kano state printing press.
Thus the outrageous behavior by the children speaks volume of parenting habits and the abdicating of societal responsibly in molding the character of children by the community and it’s replacement with nuclear family responsibility.
Mahmud Shuaibu Ringim
HALIM Consulting Ltd
mahmudshuaibu44@gmail.com
