Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has pledged to take all necessary steps to secure the release of minors from Kano arrested in connection with the recent #EndBadGovernance protests.
InfoStride News reports that protesters, including minors, were arraigned on Friday at a Federal High Court in Abuja. Those detained reportedly hail from Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano.
The defendants face charges of terrorism, arson, and treasonable felony.
During the court proceedings, four minors reportedly collapsed and were rushed out, after which the court granted bail of N10 million each to the 72 defendants.
The arraignment of minors has sparked condemnation from Nigerians, including prominent politicians and civil society groups.
Federal Government prosecutor Rimazonte Ezekiel disputed claims about the minors, asserting that all those arraigned were adults, with most described as married men.
However, Nigeria Police Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi countered, confirming that the youngest detainee is just 13 years old.
Reacting to the incident on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Governor Yusuf expressed concern, stating that he has directed Kano State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, to intervene swiftly.
“My attention has been drawn to the appearance of teenagers (some believed to be from Kano) in court today in Abuja.
The Commissioner of Justice has been instructed to act immediately on the issue. We shall do everything possible to get them back to Kano, in sha Allah,” Yusuf stated.
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