Youthful Protesters Arrive in Court, Show Signs of Malnourishment
A group of teenagers, aged 12 to 15, who were arrested in August for their involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests, were seen in a pitiful state as they appeared before Judge Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday.
Dramatic footage from the courtroom showed some of the protesters struggling to stay upright, their faces gaunt, and their eyes sunken. It was clear that they had not eaten for several days. Biscuits and bottled water were provided to help sustain them as they waited for their arraignment.
A voice in the video highlighted the extent of their suffering, “These children have been in detention for three months, with little to no food. They’re malnourished, sick, and on the verge of collapse. We’ve been forced to provide them with sustenance just to keep them alive.”
The 75 suspects, all reportedly arrested on August 3, faced 10 charges related to their alleged involvement in the protests, which aimed to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.
When the hearing began, some of the defendants fainted, prompting Judge Egwuatu to interrupt the proceeding. The shocked reactions of those in the courtroom highlighted the pressing question of why such young children should be held accountable for their alleged actions.
You can see the footage below: