Nigeria, Nov 07 (Alliance News): A Nigerian court on Tuesday released 119 individuals, including minors, after charges related to deadly protests against economic hardship in August were dropped.
The protestors had faced serious accusations, including treason and inciting a military coup, with one charge carrying the death penalty.
The protests, which erupted in August 2024, were a response to Nigeria’s severe cost-of-living crisis. Thousands of young people took to the streets in various cities, including the capital, Abuja, where security forces used tear gas to disperse crowds.
The accused had been arrested in batches of 76 and 43 last Friday, facing trial under the severe charges.
However, following an order from President Bola Tinubu, all minors detained during the protests were released, and the charges were dropped.
Deji Adeyanju, the protesters’ legal counsel, confirmed the ruling, stating, “The case has been struck out and the 119 protesters have been released.”
Adeyanju further called for the rehabilitation and compensation of the released individuals by the relevant state governments.
The case was handed over to the country’s attorney general, who decided to dismiss the charges, advancing the matter that was originally set for a hearing in January.
