In Nigeria, widespread outrage erupted on Friday as dozens of young protesters, detained for over two months, appeared malnourished in court. Four of the detainees, arrested during major anti-government protests in August, collapsed in court and were taken away for medical assistance.
Among those presented, nearly a third were teenagers aged 14 to 18. All 76 defendants entered pleas of not guilty to charges of treason, felony, and inciting mutiny.
These young defendants had been held since August, following nationwide protests over the soaring cost of living, which led to violent clashes with security forces. Reports indicate at least seven fatalities, though rights groups claim the toll is higher, and approximately 700 individuals were arrested.
In response to Friday’s distressing courtroom events in Abuja, human rights advocates condemned the detentions, calling it a severe crackdown on freedom of assembly. One prominent group labeled the imprisonment of minors as “institutional child abuse,” demanding their immediate release and asserting that these children belong in school, not behind bars.
Some defendants were also accused of carrying Russian flags during the protests, as a few protesters were seen appealing to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin for support.
A related court hearing two months ago involved ten other suspects, who faced serious charges including treason for allegedly collaborating with a foreign citizen to destabilize Nigeria.
In total, 114 protestors have been charged with treason, and each was granted bail set at 10 million naira ($6,000).
Nigeria faces an economic crisis, with inflation surpassing 30% and food prices soaring, exacerbating hardship across the country.
