International human rights organization Amnesty International (AI) and former Minister of Education Obiageli Ezekwesili have both expressed strong condemnation of the Nigerian government’s decision to trial minors, aged 12 to 15, for alleged treason. This controversial case arose after the minors were arrested during the August hunger protest, a demonstration advocating against the rising cost of living and economic hardship faced by many Nigerians.
In a statement released on Friday, Amnesty International criticized the actions of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, accusing it of subjecting these young individuals to “horrifying experiences” simply for exercising their right to peaceful protest. AI emphasized, “The Nigerian authorities detained these minors unlawfully — putting them through horrifying experiences — for exercising their right to peaceful protest. The government must release them all — immediately and unconditionally,” the organization stated on its official X handle.
Ezekwesili, a prominent human rights advocate and former minister, echoed these sentiments, lamenting the state of democracy in Nigeria. She described the trial of minors as a degradation of democratic principles, stating, “Our Democracy has degraded to this barbaric depth? The bedrock of our democracy is the rule of law and that means we have to have an independent judiciary, judges who can make decisions independent of the political winds that are blowing.”
She raised critical questions regarding the effectiveness of the Nigerian Constitution and the judiciary, asking, “How did the Nigerian Constitution become so useless that the Nigerian Judiciary could allow such violations of the rights of these minors to happen at such egregious levels?”
Ezekwesili called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to take immediate action. “The NBA, where are you? What exactly is this, our dear Chief Justice of Nigeria? Can we the Citizens of Nigeria count on you for a clean sweep of this version of our Judiciary?” she pleaded.
The former minister stressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “These children must be swiftly released to their parents and guardians, and adequately compensated for the damages done to them by the Nigerian State,” highlighting the need for accountability and justice in the face of such alarming human rights violations.
The trial of these minors has sparked widespread outrage, raising concerns about the treatment of young individuals in the context of civil unrest and the broader implications for human rights in Nigeria. As the situation develops, calls for reform and protective measures for the rights of children and minors continue to grow louder.
