November 1, 2024
By Idris Buba
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday halted proceedings as a minor among the 76 persons set to be arraigned by the Nigerian Police Force for participating in the recent EndBadGovernance protest that held across the country collapsed in the court.
Trial Justice, Obiora Egwuatu, was about to be read their charges to them when the 15 years old defendant slumped.
The incident made the judge to abruptly stop proceedings and return to his chambers.
It took the intervention of lawyers in the courtroom, who quickly rushed the frail looking boy to the court’s clinic while his co-defendants, who are mostly minors, wept uncontrollably.
One of the counsel representing the defendants, Mr. Deji Adeyanju had earlier disclosed that the minors had spent over 80 days in police custody.
Adeyanju, who also a rights activist, revealed that the 76 defendants, who will be answering to a 10-count charge marked: FCH/ABJ/CS/503/2024, are among many others that were arrested in Abuja and Kano state during the #endbadgovernance protest.
READ MORE; #Endbadgovernance Organizers Announce Date for Resumption of Hunger Protests
The police, in the charge that was signed by its team of lawyers led by DCP Simon Lough, SAN, alleged that the defendants, alongside others that are currently at large, had between July 31 and August 4, at Abuja and Kano metropolis, while acting in concert and with intent to destabilize Nigeria, conspired together to commit felony.
The charge, alleged that the defendants committed treason, an offense contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code and punishable under section 97 of the Code.
End bad governance and hunger protest took place across the country in August 1st to 10th, 2024
