Bail conditions for arraigned minors absurd and appalling, says Kwankwaso

Rabiu Kwankwaso, presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 election, has condemned the “inhumane treatment” of minors arraigned for allegedly participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest.

The police arraigned 76 defendants on Friday — including several minors.

There was a commotion at the federal high court in Abuja after some of the minors collapsed while waiting to be arraigned.

The court granted them bail in the sum of N10 million each, while the prosecutor asked the judge to remove the names of those who collapsed from the charge.

The 76 defendants, who were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states, are accused of treason, and looting, among others

However, Rimazonte Ezekiel, a federal government prosecutor, claimed that all the protesters arraigned were adults.

Ezekiel, who is the government’s counsel in the case, denied that there were minors among the suspects, adding that “most of them are married men”.

‘ARRAIGNMENT NEGATES PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS’

Reacting to the incident on his X page on Friday, Kwankwaso criticised the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over the arraignment.

The former governor of Kano said the prosecution of minors is “highly unusual and negates every tenet of the protection of human rights and dignity”.

“I am shocked by the arraignment of 67 minors by the Nigeria Police Force at a court in Abuja, for alleged participation in the #EndBadGovernance Protest,” Kwankwaso said.

“These children, who are obviously malnourished and need medical attention, have been subjected to a cruel experience when they should be in school.

“The arraignment of such number of minors in their states is highly unusual and negates every tenet of the protection of human rights and dignity.

“As leaders, it is our duty to protect the most vulnerable among us, particularly children, women, old and the needy. And the government should not be at the forefront of this violation.

“I am particularly appalled by the stringent conditions set for their release, it is absurd that a teenager is ordered to source for 10 million Naira and a grade 15 civil servant for bail.

“The Child’s Rights Act 2003, Section 11, protects the dignity of every child and protects them from any physical, mental or emotional injury, abuse, neglect or maltreatment.”

Kwankwaso asked the authorities to reconsider the charges against the minors and allow them to reunite with their families.