In a significant human rights triumph, the Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted 71 teenagers from Kano State who were arrested during the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protest. Initially facing treasonable felony charges for carrying Russian flags at the protest, the minors have now been cleared of all accusations.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano played a pivotal role in securing the release, collaborating with a legal team led by renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN. In a statement, government spokesperson Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa expressed gratitude for the efforts of both the legal and human rights communities. Governor Yusuf described the outcome as “a victory for justice and human dignity.”
Later today, the teenagers are expected to be formally handed over to Governor Yusuf by Vice President Kashim Shettima, with arrangements made to return them to Kano, where they will reunite with their families.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu dismissed the charges earlier on Tuesday, following the Federal Government’s formal withdrawal of the case. Mohammed Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), represented the Attorney-General’s office and filed for the case’s discontinuation, citing constitutional grounds. The move aligned with Sections 174(1), (b), and (c) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which guided the decision to drop charges against the young protesters.
This case underscores a pivotal moment in the protection of youth rights and the power of collective legal advocacy in Nigeria.
