Despite N10m Bail Each, Over 29 Nigerian Children Could Get Death Penalty for Participating in Protest
Social media, as well as the entire country, went agog on Friday when over 29 children were filmed alongside 79 others facing treasonable charges for participating in #EndBadGovernance protests.
Visibly malnourished, with four completely losing consciousness, the children were not aware of the reasons they were arrested or the charges against them. They’ve been kept in the cell since August and now visiting the Court for the first time, they were dumbfounded learning about their alleged crimes.
The charges against them were summarily “death sentence” for allegedly taking part in protests. Meanwhile, the protests were organized by Nigerians, dubbed “hungry Nigerians” due to the cost-of-living crisis and fuel cost.
Since May 29 that President Bola Tinubu had been sworn in, the naira has dwindled against the dollar, leading to a precarious milestone of ₦1702/$1.
As a result, the cost of fuel moved from ₦145 to ₦1050 (by NNPCL price). This sudden increment has led to several increases in the price of goods, with laments. But President Bola Tinubu has vowed to pursue what he called “economic reform” saying they are needed to keep the country afloat.
It was barely one and a half year Tinubu had emerged as the new President of the country and the most affected people decided to protest against the hardship. Amongst these people, were these over 29 children.
These minors, around the age between 14 and 17, were part of a group of 76 people charged in court on Friday.
Charges against them include treason, destruction of property, public disturbance and inciting a military coup.
Four of the children collapsed in the courtroom from exhaustion before they could enter a plea. They have reportedly been held by the police since August.
Security forces were accused of using excessive force during the protests, with rights group Amnesty International saying at least 13 people were shot dead in clashes with the police.
Lawyers for the children said they were granted bail and the case will come to trial in January.
The death sentence was introduced in Nigeria in the 1970s, but there have been no executions since 2016.
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