The fainting of certain juvenile detainees who were charged at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday for their involvement in the August 2024 End Bad Governance rally has been characterized by the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) as “deliberate and scripted.”
Following the fainting of several offenders brought in for arraignment in front of Justice Obiora Egwuatu, the police responded.
The 75 suspects, who ranged in age from 12 to 15, were accused of ten charges of terrorism, attempted overthrow of the government, and suspected mutiny because they took part in the statewide demonstration.
They have reportedly been in custody since their purported arrest on August 3.
However, the police statement, which was signed by ACP Olumiyowa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer for Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, in response to the intense criticism that followed their arraignment, claimed that the “unexpected incident in court saw six of the suspects suddenly rush out and faint, drawing media attention in a deliberate and scripted manner to draw negative attention.”
Recently, 76 people were arraigned in court by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on allegations of treasonous crime, arson, and terrorism.
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These grave accusations cover offenses like destroying public property and endangering national security.
“To maintain justice and accountability under the rule of law, the NPF has strictly complied with legal requirements in overseeing the custody and arraignment of these detainees. When the suspects first appeared in court, the court issued a remand order and formally charged them.
The police have made an effort to strike a balance between justice and compassion during this procedure, making sure that each suspect’s fundamental rights and privileges—such as access to healthcare and other essential supplies—are upheld.
Six of the accused abruptly left the courtroom and passed out after an unexpected event today, which was purposefully staged to garner bad media attention. The Police Force’s dedication to the wellbeing of those under its care, regardless of the accusations against them, was demonstrated by the timely provision of medical assistance to these individuals.
The Nigeria Police Force is dedicated to maintaining the rule of law, but it also respects the rights of everyone, including children.
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“Regardless of age, those who have attained the age of criminal responsibility are accountable for their deeds under Nigerian law. This idea is consistent with international norms that uphold accountability for minors who commit major crimes.
Age does not shield people from legal repercussions, as is the case in other nations, such as the UK. Nonetheless, human rights norms are followed and each case is handled with compassion.
The NPF recognizes the public’s interest in this matter and guarantees that our officers will act professionally at all times during the court proceedings. Since the Force is still committed to an open pursuit of justice, the public is urged to view this matter without excessive bias.
According to the NPF statement, “The Nigeria Police Force is dedicated to adhering to best practices, respecting human dignity and the rule of law.”
Bail is granted to suspects.
Out of the 76 juveniles who were arrested, Justice Egwuatu later granted bail to 67 of them for a total of N10 million each.
Those under the age of 15 who are granted bail are required to provide one surety, who needs to be a civil servant.
In violation of section 96 and punishable under section 97 of the Penal Code Act, the juveniles are charged with ten counts of conspiracy to conduct a felony with purpose to destabilize Nigeria and treason.
The demonstrators, who are mostly children, appeared undernourished as four of them were hastily removed from the courtroom because they were unable to stand.
Among other charges, the 76 demonstrators who were detained in Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano are facing treason charges.
Nura Ibrahim, 24, Abdulbasi Abdusalami, 34, Ahmed Yusuf, 25, Awolu Abdulahi, 21; Umar Musa, 15; Muhammadu Mustapha, 16; Umar Muhammed, 23; Umar Inusa, 18; Abdullahi Sani, 21; Abba Usman, 30; Ibrahim Rabiu, 16; Abubakar San, 19; Abubakar Abdullahi, 18; Amir Muhammad, 17; Umar Ali, 17; Saminu Sani, 22; Muhammad Musa, 14; Suleiman Dauda, 18; Ismail Abdullah, 27; and Haruna Suleiman, 22.
Bello Abdullahi is twenty-three years old; Usman Yunusa is twenty-five years old; Umar Umar is twenty-five years old; Sani Aliyu is seventeen years old; Yusuf Lawal is twenty-one years old; Abba Adamu is twenty-two years old; Abbas Hamza is twenty-two years old; Tasiu Lawal is sixteen years old; Bilal Auwalu is fifteen years old; Umar Kabir is twenty-two years old; Abubakar Ibrahim is eighteen years old; Abubakar Ibrahim is twenty-two years old; Abubakar Adam is sixteen years old; Suleiman Ali is twenty-four years old; Ibrahim Musa is twenty-two years old; Samani Ali is twenty-five years old; Yahaya Sani is twenty-six years old; Umar Sani is twenty-years old; Abbas Haliru is twenty-years old; Sani Idris is seventeen years old; Tashiru Mohammed is eighteen years old; Abdulaziz Abubakar is fifteen years old; and Musa Adam is twenty-years old.
Mukhtari Yahaya is 17 years old, Abba Ahmad is 23 years old, Umar Mohammed is 24 years old, Yahaya Musa is 18 years old, Umar Abdullahi is 17 years old, Salisu Adamu is 16 years old, Habibu Sani is 17 years old, Sadiq Sanusi is 15 years old, Ibrahim Sani is 17 years old, Mustapha Kabir is 16 years old, Saifullah Mohammed is 17 years old, Hassan Mohammed is 17 years old, Mustapha Abubakar is 17 years old, Abdulmalik Auwal is 19 years old, Musa Ishaku is 17 years old, Abdulrahman Ibrahim is 17 years old, Abdulganiu Musa is 15 years old, Sagir Hassan is 19 years old, Saidu Usman is 25 years old, Abubakar Muhammad is 22 years old, Kabiru Sani is 25 years old, Muhammad Yahaya is 14 years old, Mukhtar Alhassan is 16 years old, and Mustapha Ibrahim is 18 years old.
