Dozens of alleged protesters were brought before a Nigerian court on Friday, sparking widespread outrage as many of the defendants appeared visibly malnourished after spending two months in detention. Four young suspects, arrested during the major anti-government protests in August, collapsed in the courtroom, writhing in pain before being rushed out for medical attention.
The 76 defendants, including several minors, were charged with treason, felony, and inciting mutiny. All pleaded not guilty to the charges. Human rights activists have strongly criticized the justice system, highlighting that at least one-third of those brought to court were boys aged between 14 and 18.
The defendants were arrested during nationwide protests that erupted in August, fueled by the country’s worsening cost-of-living crisis. The demonstrations, which were initially peaceful, turned violent in some areas, leading to clashes between protesters and security forces. Police report that at least seven people died in the unrest, though human rights organizations claim the death toll is closer to 23. Nearly 700 people were arrested during the protests.
Amnesty International condemned the treatment of the detainees, particularly the minors, after the dramatic court hearing in Abuja. The organization said, “Putting minors through these horrifying detentions for participating in protests against hunger and corruption is – so far – one of the deadliest attempts to suppress freedom of assembly.”
The Nigerian rights group Enough is Enough described the situation as “institutional child abuse.” They said in a statement, “These teenagers have been remanded in prison for saying they were hungry. Their place is in school, not prison. Release them now.”
Some of the defendants faced additional charges related to their participation in the protests, including allegations of flying Russian flags during demonstrations. Video footage from the protests showed a small group of protesters waving Russian flags and calling on Russia’s President Vladimir Putin for help.
In a separate case, 10 other suspects who appeared in court two months ago were charged with treason and other serious offenses. They were accused of collaborating with a British citizen to destabilize Nigeria by urging the military to overthrow President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government. All the accused in this case also pleaded not guilty.
A total of 114 people arrested during the protests have been charged with treason. In a move that drew further criticism, a judge granted each of the defendants a bail of 10 million naira ($6,000; £4,700).
Nigeria is currently grappling with its worst economic crisis in a generation, with annual inflation exceeding 30% and food prices soaring. The government’s handling of the protests and the treatment of detainees has intensified public discontent, particularly as many citizens struggle with the economic fallout of the ongoing crisis.
