The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has called on President Bola Tinubu to order the withdrawal of all charges against the minors being tried for alleged participation in the #EndBadGovernance protests.
DAILY POST reports that 76 suspects, 32 of whom are minors, were arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Abuja Federal High Court on Friday for their involvement in the protests.
Recall that Nigerians had protested nationally from August 1 to August 10 to voice their complaints about the economic hardship, removal of fuel subsidy and some polices of President Bola Tinubu.
Some of the protesters were arrested and charged with ten counts of treason, intent to undermine Nigeria, and inciting mutiny by calling on the military to take over the government.
Justice Egwuatu gave the demonstrators N10 million bail each, with two sureties in like sum.
The judge further ruled that one of the sureties must be a level 15 public official and the other a parent to the defendants.
He also ordered that the sureties provide the court with a means of identification, a letter of last promotion, a letter of appointment, a means of identification, and their verified address.
Reacting to the development, the Clerk of the Senate, NANS Abdulyekinn Odunayo, in a statement obtained by DAILY POST on Saturday, described the bail terms as “excessive and punitive”.
“NANS considers these conditions as excessive and punitive, disproportionate to the alleged offenses and a contravention of the fundamental rights to freedom of assembly and expression.”
NANS asked Tinubu to order the unconditional release of the arrested suspects, stating that such move would reflect the administration’s commitment to fundamental human rights and national stability.
“NANS hereby seeks for the unconditional release of the detained protesters, also urge the President to issue a presidential order to ensure immediate and unconditional release of the minors and address the protesters’ demands for improved governance.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and push for justice,” the statement added.
NANS maintained that it stands in solidarity with the affected families and reiterated its commitment to advocating for students’ and youths’ rights.
EndBadGovernance: NANS seeks unconditional release of detained protesters