Malnourished Minors Who Should Be Given Free Education, Healthcare; Sowore Blasts Tinubu For Arraigning Children
Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, has strongly condemned President Bola Tinubu’s government for prosecuting minors who allegedly participated in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August, some of whom slumped in court on Friday.
Sowore, a former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, criticized the government for its “shameless” treatment of these malnourished minors, who he believes deserve access to free education and healthcare, rather than being put on trial for treason.
Sowore’s outrage comes amid growing concerns about the government’s handling of protests and dissenting voices.
The #RevolutionNow movement has been advocating for an end to bad governance and promoting accountability from those in power.
Recently, Sowore unveiled a list of non-negotiable demands to President Tinubu’s government, including the release of all prisoners from last demonstrations and all political prisoners, living wage for Nigerian workers, and urgent address of banditry, terrorism, and other security issues.
Over two months (89 days) have passed since #EndBadGovernance protesters, including 32 minors, were arrested and detained by police during the August nationwide protests against hunger and poor governance.
On Friday, Sowore said, “These are underage kids; the inhuman, barbaric, and unjust regime of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought to the Federal High Court, Abuja, today to be tried for treason allegedly for participating in the August 2024 #EndbadgovernanceInNigeria protest.
“These are children who ought to be given free education and healthcare and set on the path of a great future; detained by the Nigeria Police Force for over 89 days and subsequently arraigned before Justice Egwuatu, accused of TREASON.
“The politicians who stole the funds meant for the future of these underaged kids are the same prosecuting for participating in protests seeking an END to BAD GOVERNANCE.
“NIGERIA is overdue for a #RevolutionNow.”
Ibom Focus earlier reported there was a mild drama at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday as five of the minors arrested during the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests slumped in the courtroom while standing trial for alleged treasonable felony and attempt to overthrow Tinubu’s government.
One of the malnourished minors first slumped before four others also collapsed on the floor of the courtroom.
The court was thrown into confusion when the defendants were asked to enter the dock.
Some lawyers and court officials hurriedly revived the minors before they were rushed to the hospital. The situation temporarily halted the court proceedings.
Meanwhile pictures and videos of the incident seen by Ibom Focus on Friday show some of the teenagers, who have been locked up since August, lying on the floor of the courtroom, with some of other detainees trying to help them.
In one of the pictures, a lawyer is seen trying to revive one of the protesters.
The detention of the teenagers was ordered by Justice Emeka Nwite, who granted an ex-parte application by the police to keep them in custody for 60 days to conclude their ‘investigation’ against the protesters.
It was learnt that 13 of them were brought to court from IRT cells while others were brought from cells scattered around other Abuja divisions.
