Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has called for the release of minors recently arraigned at a Federal High Court in Abuja on charges including arson and treason,PremiumTimes reports.
The minors, hailing from Kano, Kaduna, and other regions, were arrested in August during the #EndBadGovernance protests, where incidents of looting and destruction of property occurred. Reports indicate that some of them collapsed in court on Friday, allegedly due to exhaustion from prolonged detention without trial.
In a statement on his Facebook page, Governor Yusuf expressed deep concern over the situation and directed the state’s attorney general and commissioner for justice to secure the release of the minors. “I have been informed about the appearance of teenagers, some reportedly from Kano, in court today in Abuja. The Commissioner of Justice has been instructed to address this matter immediately. We will do all we can to bring them back to Kano, in sha Allah,” he stated.
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Niger East Senator Sani Musa also voiced his concern, calling on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate the circumstances surrounding the minors’ arrest and prosecution. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Musa condemned the detention, urging the Nigeria Judicial Council (NJC) to investigate the judge involved in the case.
“I strongly condemn the unjust detention of minors following the #EndBadGovernance protests,” Musa said. “It is deeply troubling that, after enduring such hardships, there is an effort to imprison these young children instead of showing them compassion and understanding.”
He emphasized that such treatment is both inhumane and unjust, condemning those who support the minors’ continued detention as contrary to the principles of justice and fairness. “I urge the Inspector-General of Police to initiate an immediate investigation to ensure accountability and uphold the rights of these young citizens,” he stated. “This issue needs urgent attention, and I stand with my constituents and all Nigerians in the pursuit of justice and good governance.”
