THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Tinubu to instruct Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi to secure the release of all #EndBadGovernance protesters, including the “32 hungry and malnourished children.”
SERAP expressed concern that the children and other protesters were detained solely for peacefully exercising their human rights.
This appeal was outlined in a letter dated November 2, 2024, but made available to journalists on Sunday, November 3, 2024, and signed by SERAP’s deputy director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
SERAP warned that the detention of these protesters could deter other citizens from exercising their rights and stated that if the President does not act on its recommendations within 48 hours, it will pursue legal action against him.
The letter also sent to Matthew Gillett, Chair-Rapporteur of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, called on President Tinubu to instruct Fagbemi and relevant law enforcement agencies to swiftly investigate the serious human rights violations against the detained children and protesters. It urged authorities to hold those responsible accountable and to provide justice and remedies for the victims.
“Direct Mr. Fagbemi and appropriate agencies to ensure immediate access to medical treatment for all the protesters, including the 32 hungry and malnourished children, whose health is deteriorating.” The statement read.
The organisation argued that charging and detaining children solely for peacefully exercising their human rights is undoubtedly not in the best interests of the child, and emphasized that their detention infringes on their right to education.
“The apparent ill-treatment of the protesters, including the 32 hungry and malnourished children, has highlighted the appalling conditions in Nigeria’s prisons, which continue to put lives at risk. The ongoing arbitrary detention of the protesters creates a climate of fear, discouraging other citizens from freely exercising their human rights and leading to a broader chilling effect.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures were taken within 48 hours of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.” The statement continued.
SERAP expressed concern that Nigerian authorities are using the criminal justice system as a tool to restrict the rights of detained children and other protesters, limiting their freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and liberty. SERAP noted that the protesters’ rights to life, health, and safety are being compromised in detention and argued that charging and detaining them is neither necessary nor proportionate.
Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun filed ten charges against the defendants, including treason and incitement to mutiny by encouraging the military to depose the president.
The ICIR reports that on Friday, November 1, 2024, 76 suspects, mainly underage and appearing undernourished, were brought to court for charges related to the #EndBadGovernance protest. Some of them fainted and were quickly taken out of the courtroom.
However, the inspector-general of Police, Kayode Egbetokun claimed that the suspects who collapsed in court before their arraignment did so intentionally, as part of a planned effort to draw negative publicity.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to the 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters, setting bail at a total of ₦760 million, with each defendant requiring two sureties.
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi has indicated his intention to assume control of the case from the Inspector-General of Police, expressing his commitment to dropping the charges against the 32 minors who were arraigned.
Fatimah Quadri is a Journalist and a Fact-checker at The ICIR. She has written news articles, fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy in an effort to combat information disorder.
She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or fquadri@icirnigeria.org