There was a palpable panic as some children brought before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the recent #EndBadGovernance protests fainted in court.
The suspects, 76 in number between the ages of 12-15 are being charged with 10 counts of terrorism, an attempt to overthrow the government, and alleged mutiny over their participation in the nationwide protest.
They were allegedly arrested on August 3, 2024, and had since been in detention before today.
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The case before the court was for arraignment and plea when some of the suspects fainted which made Justice Egwuatu rise abruptly.
With the help of lawyers in the courtroom, the frail looking boy was rushed to the court’s clinic as his co-defendants, who are mostly minors, weep uncontrollably.
One of the counsel representing the defendants, Mr. Deji Adeyanju had earlier disclosed that the minors had spent over 80 days in police custody.
He revealed that the 76 defendants, who will be answering to a 10-count charge marked: FCH/ABJ/CS/503/2024, are among many others that were arrested in Abuja and Kano state during the protest
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Specifically, police, in the charge that was signed by its team of lawyers led by DCP Simon Lough, SAN, alleged that the defendants, alongside others that are currently at large, had between July 31 and August 4, at Abuja and Kano metropolis, while acting in concert and with intent to destabilize Nigeria, conspired together to commit felony.
It alleged that the defendants committed treason, an offence contrary to Section 96 of the Penal Code and punishable under section 97 of the Code
The court later granted the children bail in the sum of N10m each