Prof Chidi Odinkalu, a prominent human rights activist and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), has strongly criticized the Nigerian judiciary for allegedly conspiring with the executive branch under President Bola Tinubu to oppress malnourished children who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August.
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The criticism comes after several underage protesters, who had been detained since the demonstrations, collapsed in the courtroom during their arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja. Justice Emeka Nwite had previously granted an ex-parte application allowing the government to hold the detained protesters for 60 days pending the conclusion of investigations.
Prof. Odinkalu accused the judiciary of actively facilitating the pre-trial detention of the oppressed children, who were rounded up on the streets of the capital city. He described Nigeria’s judicial system as being “committed to discarding pretences of law.”
The human rights activist pointed out the apparent inconsistencies in the actions of the judiciary and security agencies, stating that they have failed to apprehend former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello and hold him accountable for his eight-year tenure. He also highlighted their inability to arrest and prosecute the bandits who have been holding the nation to ransom.
“These are the same judiciary & security agencies that cannot find @OfficialGYBKogi or bring him to court or to account; that manage to miss the bandits & their ransom loot all the time; that certify election rigging as entirely lawful,” Prof. Odinkalu said. “This makes ‘disgraceful’ sound endearing!”
The incident has sparked outrage among human rights advocates and civil society groups, who are calling for the immediate release of the detained children and a thorough investigation into the alleged abuse of power by the government and judiciary.
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