Twenty-nine children could be facing the death penalty in Nigeria after they were arraigned Friday for participating in a protest against the country’s record cost-of-living crisis. Four of them collapsed in court due to exhaustion before they could enter a plea. A total of 76 protesters were charged with 10 felony counts, including treason, destruction of property, public disturbance and mutiny, according to the charge sheet seen by The Associated Press. According to the charge sheet, the minors ranged in age from 14 to 17 years old. Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to several mass protests in recent…

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and other advocacy groups have condemned the President Bola Tinubu government for detaining minors who protested against hunger and poor governance. They described their detention as a violation of constitutional rights and an affront to international human rights standards. The detained minors, held for over three months without trial, reportedly endured harsh conditions while detained for participating in protests. While reacting to the situation in a chat with The Guardian, the spokesperson for NEF, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said that the federal government’s actions amounted to “shameful and unacceptable impunity.” Suleiman criticised the arbitrary detention and treason…

The pan-Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere has expressed disapproval of President Bola Tinubu’s appointments, which they perceive as disproportionately favoring the Yoruba ethnic group. In a statement issued by leader Ayo Adebanjo and Justice Faleye in Ibadan, the group cautioned that this trend could jeopardize inter-ethnic relationships and the peaceful co-existence of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups. Afenifere’s criticism focuses on the concentration of power among Yoruba individuals in key federal government positions, including leadership roles in the criminal justice system, economic agencies, and security forces. They argue that such “Yorubalisation” mirrors the ethnic favoritism criticized during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration,…

The arraignment of 76 suspects, including 32 minors, has ignited widespread condemnation across Nigeria, highlighting severe concerns over human rights violations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. These children, detained for three months, faced charges including treason for their involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests that erupted in August, demanding urgent reforms amidst escalating economic hardship. Witnesses described harrowing scenes in court, where the malnourished minors were seen scrambling for basic sustenance. As proceedings began, four of the children collapsed from apparent exhaustion and hunger, prompting a suspension of the session as they were rushed out for medical attention. Their condition drew…