The arrest and detention of #EndBadGovernance protesters in Nigeria since August, along with their recent arraignment, has continued to bring attention to the extent of the Nigerian government’s violations of people’ rights, even after the announcement of the presidential order for their release. Due to the irreversible harm the children’s trauma has caused to their physical and mental health, many have called for an atonement.

Many people think it is terrible enough that hunger protesters were detained and imprisoned in a democracy, but it is even worse that children are being mistreated for merely expressing a need for food. They consider that to be the pinnacle of the police officers’ insensitivity, inhumanity, and unethical behaviour when they first arrested them.

Unfortunately, these youngsters were held in correctional facilities for more than three months pending trial on terrorist allegations while their peers were attending school and receiving an education. Despite this, a court in this country brazenly awarded them bail in the amount of N10 million apiece. The existence of prosecutors in the case is unthinkable. People are now doubting the quality of our nation’s police force and judiciary as a result of this.

The president issued an order for the release of these youngsters as a result of the public uproar against their mistreatment, which is well known. President Tinubu received some praise for this, but many people are unimpressed by what they see as an afterthought and are wondering why it took the president so long.

When the issue was brought up on Arise TV’s morning show, TV anchor Rufai Oseni offered his opinion. “While I have mixed feelings about President Tinubu, I am also giving him kudos. I commend him for responding to public criticism, but I also ask, “Didn’t he know about this in the first place?” I’m more afraid for our nation if he was unaware that they had been keeping children behind bars for so long.

“I’m more afraid for this country if he didn’t know that they had kept them in incarceration for more than three months,” he said, following the public outrage and public display of shame over the violations of kids’ rights. “The embarrassment is too much, let them go,” he concluded.

“Police spokesperson who said that the fainting spell by the minors was a scam, probably they thought that the minors faked the fainting spell in a replica of professor Pondei fainting spell,” Rufai remarked, expressing disapproval of the police’s involvement in the case.

“What kind of a country are we building?” he continued. Although such children ought to have been in school in the first place, they serve as a stark reminder that a nation has failed its citizens. These youngsters were let down by Nigeria, and now, three months after you ruined their memories with this ignominious incident, you expect them to be content. We will be able to tell when we are ready since we are not yet ready.

https://www.instagram.com/godfatheraluminium1/profilecard/?igsh=dWw5YW05djR4MWNl

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558144097511&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Rufai goes on, “Congratulations to the president for directing that inquiry. We’ll see what the results show.” The police authorities had made a variety of statements regarding these youths, and we know who was responsible for this system and who was yelling for their heads. I’ll be shocked if anything happens, but we’ll wait and see whether they’re brought to book.

Additionally, Dr. Reuben Abati offered his opinion, stating that “the Nigerian president and federal government of Nigeria had to save its face because the embarrassment was so great.”

Citing a previous guest on the show, Dr. Abati stated that the guest “made a point that even the international media and international community, including investors, were beginning to ask what was going on in Nigeria, a situation where children were being accused of trying to overthrow the government of the day.” He accurately noted that this was a significant embarrassment and that, in accordance with Section 3 of the UBEC Act, these are youngsters who should be in school in a nation where more than 15 million children are not enrolled in school.

“What the current government has attempted to do is to save face,” Dr. Abati said.
Dr. Abati added, “The Minister of Information stated that the minors have been asked to leave,” expressing frustration at the way the authorities handled the entire situation. 130 people were imprisoned in conditions that infringed upon their basic human rights. Femi Falana SAN is doing a good job of bringing attention to significant issues in this polity where the rule of law is being violated. If those 29 minors are released, what will happen to the remaining 101 people based on what the police prosecutors have on the charge sheet and what they have in the proof of evidence?

As Femi Falana has noted, we ought to examine the evidence. People who carry 76 Russian flags will face treasonous criminal charges. Two or three fire extinguishers and then alleged statements are what these guys are going to bring to court. Who would depose a government with 76 Russian flags and fire extinguishers in any sane nation? The entire situation is absurd. The president and the federal government must have realised after the fact how ridiculous it was. But the president says that people should be punished and that an investigation should be conducted.

They should fire their prosecutor or any other prosecutors implicated as a first step. The prosecutor for the federal government was quoted as stating that all of the youngsters are adults and that some of them are even married.

The federal government is now accusing the prosecutor in this case of lying, and Police PRO Muyiwa Awojobi stated that individuals under the age of seven are exempt from charges, but those beyond the age of thirteen may face charges. He himself was mistaking the Children and Young People Act for the Child Rights Act. It’s really embarrassing.

He maintained that punishment was necessary for anyone who infringed against the rights of minors. “The main goal of the prosecutorial process is for the federal government, and specifically President Tinubu, to ensure that those who violate basic ethical conduct are punished. Prosecutors are expected to act as individuals who wish to ensure justice in the temple of justice for society and even for the accused. Prosecutors who appear in court while lying and acting like they belong to a political party or have a personal grudge against the accused is unacceptable, he said.

“The prosecutors, lawyers, and many of the parties involved, as well as the Correctional service people who are just a bunch of illiterates given important positions, must be brought to book because a serious country doesn’t deal with such if you have responsible persons, if you have round pegs in round holes,” he concluded, arguing that the abuse of the minors was extremely embarrassing from all sides. Beyond this, President Tinubu ought to start considering a significant staff reorganisation. In other nations, the engine room is the civil, public service. I’m hoping it won’t knock anytime soon, but our own engine room is already making some noise. It’s really awkward.

Social media users also voiced their opposition to the government’s move. “Unfortunately, corruption and incompetence have clouded this government,” @chidoijeoma6677 responded. Nigeria makes my heart bleed.

“Kudos to VDM, the whistleblower and chief Falana in his never-ending battle for humanity, as well as Chief Rufai Oseni, also known as fearless, and the Arise team for your excellent analysis,” @joyu7094 commented.

“I’m crying for Nigeria, my country,” @austinbestiro posted. God bless us.

@samuelaken-08t wrote, “I cry every time I witness the suffering and dehumanisation of these defenceless kids. Among them, I can discern my son’s age. God will undoubtedly take action against this nation’s corrupt politicians and administration.

“Too little, too late,” was the response from @ginageorge-taylor7211. For the illegal confinement, the parents ought to be suing the government.

“All of them—adults and children alike—should be released because their rights have been violated,” @treasureokpo6944 commented. They ought to receive payment as well.

“In the meantime, we have a judge who was unaware that they were minors,” wrote @GregoryEkanem-gx6cr.