Peter Obi, the presidential candidate, has condemned Bola Tinubu’s administration for the inhumane treatment of minors among the detained #EndBadGovernance protesters.
In a statement posted on X handle, Obi condemned the treatment of the young detainees, some of whom appeared visibly malnourished and physically weak, with several reportedly fainting due to exhaustion and lack of proper care.
The detainees, who are accused of protesting against poor governance, were reportedly in federal custody at the time.
Obi criticized the government’s handling of the situation, highlighting the irony of a democratic government prosecuting citizens including minors for exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights.
He pointed out that many current leaders once leveraged the same democratic freedoms when in opposition.
READ MORE: Court Grants N10m Bail Each to 72 Minors of #EndBadGovernance Protesters
Obi also praised the presiding judge for halting the trial, saying the decision spared Nigeria from further global embarrassment.
According to Obi, the justice system must afford all suspects a basic level of dignity, even when they are in a correctional facility.
He underscored that respect for human rights is fundamental to Nigeria’s standing in the global community.
In a direct appeal, Obi has urged the Minister of Justice, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Human Rights Commission to investigate the alleged mistreatment. Obi called on these bodies to ensure accountability and prevent future incidents of inhumane treatment, especially towards minors, in the nation’s legal and correctional systems.
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
