Nigerian Court Releases 119 Protesters After Charges Dropped

A Nigerian court has released 119 protesters, including minors, after the government dropped serious charges against them stemming from protests in August over economic hardship, Reuters reported yesterday.

The individuals faced various charges, including treason and inciting a military coup, with some charges carrying the death penalty.

The release follows President Bola Tinubu’s directive on Monday to free all minors detained during the protests. Deji Adeyanju, the legal counsel for the protesters, confirmed the court’s decision, stating, “The case has been struck out and the 119 protesters have been released.” He further emphasized the need for rehabilitation and compensation for the detainees from their respective state governments.

The attorney general took over the case from the police and opted to drop the charges, which were initially scheduled for a hearing in January. This decision marks a significant moment in the ongoing dialogue surrounding civil rights and government accountability in Nigeria.