The Socio-Financial Rights and Responsibility Venture has recommended President Bola Tinubu to direct the Lawyer-Normal of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, to assure the shed of all #EndBadGovernance protesters, “including the 32 hungry and malnourished children.”
SERAP lamented that the “children” and a few alternative protesters have been “detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.”
This request is contained in a letter dated November 2, 2024, acquired by way of PUNCH On-line on Sunday, November 3, 2024, and signed by way of SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.
SERAP famous that the detention of the protesters would possibly discourage alternative voters from exercising their rights, including that if the president does now not business on its suggestions inside 48 hours, prison movements can be taken towards him.
The letter, which used to be copied to the Chair-Rapporteur of the United International locations Running Workforce on Arbitrary Detention, Dr Matthew Gillett, recommended Tinubu “to direct Mr Fagbemi and suitable legislation enforcement companies to promptly examine the cases condition the grave violations of the human rights of the youngsters and alternative protesters in detention, to spot and convey to justice the ones accountable, and to assure justice and therapies for the sufferers.
“Direct Mr Fagbemi and appropriate agencies to ensure immediate access to medical treatment for all the protesters, including the 32 hungry and malnourished children, whose health is apparently deteriorating.”
The organisation mentioned that “bringing charges against children and detaining them simply for the peaceful exercise of their human rights is clearly not acting in the ‘best interests of the child,’” including that their detention violates “their rights to education.”
It persevered, “The obvious ill-treatment of the protesters, together with the 32 hungry and malnourished youngsters, has highlighted the unfortunate situations in Nigeria’s prisons, which proceed to place lives in danger. The continuing arbitrary detention of the protesters creates a shape of worry, discouraging alternative voters from freely exercising their human rights and eminent to a broader chilling impact.
“We might be thankful if the beneficial measures are taken inside 48 hours of the receipt and/or e-newsletter of this letter. If we have now now not heard from you by way of nearest, SERAP shall believe suitable prison movements to compel your govt to agree to our request within the community pastime.
“SERAP is concerned that Nigerian authorities are weaponising the criminal justice system to curtail the rights of the children and other protesters to liberty, freedom of expression, and peaceful assembly. We are concerned that the rights of the protesters to life, health, and safety are being violated in detention. Bringing charges against the protesters and detaining them is neither necessary nor proportionate,” amongst others.
The Inspector-Normal of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, arraigned the defendants on ten counts, together with treason, incitement to mutiny by way of urging the army to take away the president, and alternative indistinguishable fees.
On the other hand, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal Top Courtroom in Abuja granted bail to the 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters on Friday, environment a complete bail sum of ₦760 million, with two sureties required for each and every defendant.
AGF Reacts
In the meantime, Fagbemi, in a remark spared past due Friday, expressed his pastime in taking up the topic from the IGP, mentioning he takes steps to let go the costs introduced towards the 32 arraigned minors.
“There are some problems my administrative center will wish to glance into in regards to the topic to allow me to create an educated determination.
“It isn’t inside my energy to alter the court docket layout remanding the defendants in detention centres and adjourning the case to January. I’ve, alternatively, directed the Nigeria Police to switch the case report to my administrative center and hand it over to the Director of Crowd Prosecutions of the Federation day after today, Saturday, November 2, 2024.
“I have further directed the DPPF to immediately initiate steps to request an earlier adjournment date,” he mentioned.