I am an unrepentant patroit of my nation. Yet some times when I see the degree of absurdity to which that nation is detoriorating, I weep.
Last week, the world rose to the shock of about 69 children, ranging in ages between 12 and 17, which were brought to a regular court and charged with treason. A charge that carries the death sentence in the nation. Offence being that they participated in a protest tabbed End to bad governace. That the living condition in that country has detoriorated to an unbelievable and quite intolerable low ebb. That a protest is inevitable is expected. However, what was quite a surprise to the world is that the present president, a known serial protester before he became the president and was given the benefit of such expression is now resorting to unbelievable extreme measures to clamp down on the same actions he was allowed to engage in during his days.
The world had risen with a scream to this particular ridiculous action, with the major major media houses leading the charge.
CNN had screamed 29 children may be sentenced to death for protesting against cost-of-living crisis in Nigeria.
Al Jazeera: Rights group calls for release of minors charged over Nigeria protests
DW puts it thus: Nigeria: Anger as minors appear in court over August protest
BBC reacting to the too little too late action of the president of Nigeria informs the world that Nigeria drops treason charges against children after outcry.
To think that this display was at the end of the month of October, while the supposed protest happened in August means that these children have been in some sort of detention for near to 90 days. That the ludicrous act of these minors in court had raised a loud outcry, not just for the absurdity of their presence in the court but more because of their obvious malnourished looks.
The sad indictment of this sad occurence is on the judiciary of the nation. That that ersthwhile highly respectable and respected arm of the government has degenerated to this embarassment which it exhibits now, breaks the hearts of many a patroitic Nigerian. Every election in Nigeria ends in court for the court to decide the will of the people. Now politicians will brazenly challenge you to Go to court. Knowing that your chances of getting justice from there is questionable. Nigerians have not yet fully recovered from the shock of a candidate which is of the ruling party, who came fourth in an election being declared by the court as the winner. He was sworn in by an election body that answers to the executive and legislature of the government.
A Nigerians politician of repute had expressed this absudity thus
I am shocked by the arraignment of 67 minors by the Nigeria Police Force at a court in Abuja, for alleged participation in the End Bad Governance Protest. These children, who are obviously malnourished and need medical attention have been subjected to a cruel experience when they should be in school. The arraignment of such number of minors in their states is highly unusual and negates every tenet of the protection of human rights and dignity. 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. I request that the relevant authorities should immediately review their charges so that they can go back to their families and be responsible citizens. Finally, I will like to call 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.
