Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Anambra State Governor Peter Obi have condemned the detention and prosecution of minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protest.
Both leaders called the incident “disturbing,” reacting after the minors were brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday.
Seventy-five minors, aged 12 to 15, were charged with terrorism, mutiny, and an alleged attempt to overthrow the government due to their participation in the August protest.
Many of the children had been held since August 3 before appearing in court, and some reportedly fainted during the arraignment.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted bail to 67 of the 76 minors, setting it at N10 million each. The judge’s decision allowed most of the children to be released with certain conditions.
In a statement shared on social media, Atiku expressed his disapproval, saying, “This scene, which looks like something out of a concentration camp, reflects the little value this government places on the lives of the vulnerable, especially children.” He referred to the Child Rights Act, stressing that it guarantees the dignity of every child, adding, “No child shall be subjected to physical, mental, or emotional injury, abuse, or degrading treatment.” He questioned how a democratic government could prosecute children for exercising their rights.
“It is shocking that children, who suffer the most from these harsh policies, are being punished for peacefully protesting,” Atiku said. “A nation can be judged by how it treats its most vulnerable. It’s deeply troubling to see even children treated so harshly.”
Peter Obi also condemned the treatment of the detained minors, highlighting that they were allegedly mistreated despite being in federal custody. “The allegations against these minors involve protesting against bad governance—a right protected under our constitution,” Obi wrote, adding that many current leaders once championed good governance themselves.
Obi called for an investigation into the children’s treatment, urging the Ministry of Justice, the police, and the National Human Rights Commission to take action. “In a global community, we should respect human dignity. I thank the judge for halting the trial, sparing Nigeria further embarrassment as a democracy,” he concluded.
Both leaders have urged Nigerian authorities to ensure that minors are treated with dignity and that such situations are prevented in the future.
