Nigeria: Minors Face Treason Charges Amidst Outcry Over Child Justice System

The Nigerian justice system faced intense scrutiny after 32 malnourished minors, aged between 13 and 17, were brought to the Federal High Court in Abuja to face treason charges. The children had been in police detention for approximately three months before appearing in court on November 1, 2024.

Their arraignment was dramatically interrupted when four of the visibly distressed minors collapsed inside the dock, causing panic and leading the judge to halt the proceedings for medical attention. Upon resumption, the prosecution sought to delist the ailing children and proceeded with a 10-count charge against the remaining minors. They were accused of attempting to destabilize the country by calling for military intervention.

Following their plea of not guilty, the trial judge granted each defendant bail amounting to N10 million, with stringent conditions including parental surety. However, the situation escalated when video clips of the minors scrambling for food on the court premises went viral on social media. This public display of distress triggered widespread outrage.

In response to the public outcry and condemnations from the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Human Rights Commission, the Attorney-General of the Federation intervened. Citing constitutional and legal provisions, he withdrew the charges, which the court subsequently struck out. The incident has spotlighted critical issues within Nigeria's child justice system, including a shortage of borstal institutions, the placement of minors in adult detention facilities, and the persistent lack of legal representation for indigent children.