Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has expressed determination to take “all necessary measures” to return minors believed to be from Kano, who were recently arraigned on charges linked to the #EndBadGovernance protests.
On Friday, authorities brought multiple suspects, including minors, before a federal high court in Abuja. The individuals, reportedly from Kano, Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, and Katsina, faced serious allegations including terrorism, arson, and treasonable felony.
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During the court proceedings, four minors reportedly collapsed and had to be taken out for medical attention.
The court ultimately granted bail to the 72 defendants, setting conditions of N10 million for each.
The arraignment has sparked outrage across the country, with politicians, activists, and civil society groups condemning the trial of minors on such charges.
Despite the controversy, Rimazonte Ezekiel, representing the federal government, stated that all those arraigned were adults, with “most of them” allegedly being married men. Muyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Force, however, contradicted this, confirming that the youngest defendant was only 13.
In response to the incident, Yusuf posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “My attention has been drawn to the appearance of teenagers (some believed to be from Kano) in court today in Abuja.” He added that Kano’s attorney-general and commissioner of justice, Haruna Dederi, has been instructed to take immediate action.
“We shall do everything possible to get them back to Kano, in sha Allah,” the governor stated, underscoring his administration’s commitment to addressing the situation.
