A Nigerian court has released 119 individuals, including minors, who were detained following anti-government protests in August against economic hardship. This decision comes after Nigerian authorities dropped serious charges against the detainees, including treason and inciting a military coup—one of which could have led to the death penalty.
The protesters, initially arraigned in two batches last Friday, were discharged following a swift intervention by the country’s attorney general, who advanced the case originally set for January. Deji Adeyanju, legal counsel for the protesters, confirmed their release, adding, “We are now asking for their rehabilitation and compensation by their various state governments.”
President Bola Tinubu also ordered the immediate release of all minors detained from the protests and directed the nation’s police chief to release 40 children previously remanded for alleged treason. Information Minister Mohammed Idriss confirmed this directive, explaining that the charges involved accusations of intending to destabilize the country and inciting mutiny.
The August demonstrations, organized as “End Bad Governance” protests, saw at least 22 individuals killed in clashes with security forces, according to Amnesty International. Conditions surrounding the minors’ detainment have drawn public outcry, especially after footage surfaced showing young protesters visibly weak, malnourished, and some fainting in court due to exhaustion and lack of sustenance.
Politician Peter Obi, who ran in the 2023 presidential election, condemned the scenes, saying, “These children appeared visibly malnourished and starved.” Civil society groups and human rights organizations have since called for a review of detention practices and improvements in prison conditions across Nigeria.