President Tinubu has called for the release of over 52 detained minors in Nigeria regarding their involvement in the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
He also called for the ministry of humanitarian affairs and poverty reduction to help the minors reunite with their loved ones wherever they may be in the country.
Being held for over 4 months, the detaining has many Nigerians asking : Has the Judicial system Failed its children?
Background
The protest called #EndBadGovernance took place 3 months ago during the period of August 1 to 10 with the plight of reducing the hunger and suffering the masses faced.
During this, a once peaceful protest turned into mayhem leading to mass arrests, ending with several adults and minors detained pending court ruling.
Earlier in the week, Images and videos of the children sobbing and appearing hungry in the court went viral online, sparking social media outrage.
Many of these children were held for simply being in the vicinity of protests, facing unjust legal actions in various states like Kano and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Reports later indicated that many of these children were held without adequate legal representation, often alongside adult detainees, in conditions that human rights groups have called “inhumane.”
Judicial System Failure
This incident has shown the deep-seated issues within Nigeria’s judicial framework, particularly in its handling of minors and vulnerable populations.
For example the police spokesperson Muyiwa Ogunjobi told Nigerian Presses that once you are more than 7 years , you can be arraigned, emphasizing that age doesn’t stop “you from facing legal consequences.”
This would instill fear in most people as this means that minors can be treated unfairly in a conventional court so far they have committed an act deemed illegal by the Country.
Meanwhile it is stated in section 15 of a child’s right act, that you cannot try a child in the conventional court, it mostly has to be a family or juvenile court.
For these children, detention has stretched on for months without clear legal justification, putting doubt on the safeguards in place to protect minors in legal proceedings.
The judicial system’s lack of prompt response in cases involving minors, along with inadequate oversight, shows the broader inefficiencies, including case backlogs, limited legal representation, and insufficient protections for detainees’ rights.
Human Rights Organization Concerns
Human rights organizations have also criticized Nigeria’s justice system for failing to uphold the rights of detained minors.
Amnesty International and other groups has repeatedly voiced concern over the systemic detainment of minors without due process.
In cases like these, where children are held for extended periods without family or legal support, the lack of due process can have lasting impacts on their well-being.
Public reaction
The public reaction to this case has been strong, with citizens and activists alike questioning the integrity of a system that would detain minors for months without legal clarity.
As Nigeria awaits further statements from President Tinubu, the incident has stirred debate about the judiciary’s role and responsibility.
Legal experts have pointed to this case as indicative of the wider reforms needed to protect minors and uphold human rights.
Public figures have also weighed in, calling for a justice system that better aligns with Nigeria’s constitutional rights and international human rights standards.
Most would ask why the President had to weigh in before the court realized that this was not a good move.
