Kwankwaso also advised the FG to urgently review the charges against the minors, so that they can go back to their families
By Kehinde Okeowo
New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 2023 presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwaso has berated the President Bola Tinubu-led government for arraigning minors, who allegedly participated in the Endbadgovernance protest.
TheNiche had earlier reported that some minors were herded into a courtroom and put in a dock on Friday for participating in a nationwide protest which took place between August 1 to 10 this year.
While awaiting trial, one of the minors collapsed in the court room.
Reacting to the development via his X page, Kwankwaso, expressed sadness over Federal Government’s decision to arraign the obviously malnourished minors, noting that they were subjected to a cruel experience when they should be in school.
He went on to argue that the arraignment of such a number of minors is highly unusual and negates every tenet of the protection of human rights and dignity.
The former Kano State governor called on the FG to face the challenges of banditry, kidnapping, Boko Haram, lack of stable electricity and excruciating economic policies rather than putting children behind bars.
“As leaders, it is our duty to protect the most vulnerable among us, particularly children, women, old and the needy. And the government should not be at the forefront of this violation.
“I am particularly appalled by the stringent conditions set for their release, it is absurd that a teenager is ordered to source for 10 million Naira and a grade 15 civil servant for bail.
“The Child’s Rights Act 2003, Section 11, protects the dignity of every child and protects them from any physical, mental or emotional injury, abuse, neglect or maltreatment,” Kwankwaso tweeted.
Kwakwaso further urged relevant authorities to immediately review their charges so that they can go back to their families.