Olusegun Ariyo
Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso has expressed shock over the arraignment of minors who participated in the Endbadgovernance protest.
Urban Express News Online reports that one of the minors arraigned collapsed before the commencement of the trial.
Writing on his X page, Kwakwaso said the minors who are obviously malnourished and need medical attention have been subjected to a cruel experience when they should be in school.
According to him, the arraignment of such a number of minors is highly unusual and negates every tenet of the protection of human rights and dignity.
He called on the Federal Government 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,” he said.
Kwakwaso requested the relevant authorities to immediately review their charges so that they can go back to their families and be responsible citizens.
