EXCLUSIVE: Nigerian Court Continues Trial Of Minors For Alleged Treason, Participating In #EndBadGovernance Protests
A Maiduguri High Court in Borno State on Monday continued the trial of 19 suspects including three minors arrested since August for allegedly participating in the peaceful #EndBadGovernance protests.
The suspects were arranged by the Nigeria Police Force for treason over their involvement in public demonstrations against hunger and economic hardship in the country.
In a post shared on X, NewsCentral TV shared pictures of lawyers appearing before the court for the continuation of the trial.
According to the report, the proceedings resumed on Monday at Maiduguri High Court 10 before Justice Aisha Mohammed Ali.
According to the charge sheets, the ages of the three minors range from 14 to 17.
The minors, according to the state prosecutions, were among the seven people who conspired to form a social media group “Zanga-zanga” (protest) on WhatsApp and TikTok, where they allegedly agreed to take up arms against the state, which is punishable under Section 79 of the Borno State Penal Code Law, 2023.
Eleven defendants were accused of displaying the Russian flag in public, contrary to Section 42 and punishable under Section 76(b) of the Penal Code Law of the state.
The protesters had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu earlier this month ordered the release of the underage children arraigned before an Abuja Federal High Court on Friday, November 1, following national and global outrage and condemnation.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced the release to State House correspondents during an emergency briefing at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
