The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the arrest and prosecution of minors from northern Nigeria in the Federal High Court, Abuja, on charges of treason and other offences following their participation in the #EndBadGovernance protests.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the forum described the proceedings as a “show of shame” and an example of unwarranted official high-handedness. The ACF’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Babahe, decried the actions as a harsh tactic, likening it to measures employed by authoritarian regimes to suppress citizens.

Professor Muhammad-Babahe expressed disappointment over the court’s apparent reluctance to release the minors on reasonable bail terms. He criticised the stringent bail conditions set by the judge, which include unattainable financial requirements and sureties from senior government officials – an unrealistic demand given that the detained citizens come from disadvantaged backgrounds with no connections in Abuja.

“This is not only a matter of unreasonable monetary conditions but also an unfathomable demand for sureties from senior government officials,” the statement read. “For individuals from society’s lower rungs, many of whom have never even been to Abuja, this trial is a blatant affront to common sense, as well as scandalous and reckless.”

The forum argued that the ordeal reflects poorly on President Bola Tinubu’s administration, both domestically and internationally, and cited extensive global media coverage of the incident as evidence.

The ACF, therefore, called on the Federal Government to end the detention and trial of these citizens, release them to their families, and ensure their well-being. Additionally, the forum demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their prolonged detention, which exceeds the constitutional 24-hour limit, and urged the government to compensate the detainees and provide them with medical evaluations, necessary treatment, and psychological support.

Further, the ACF recommended that the Federal Government review its approach to handling protests, urging it to adhere to constitutional standards, principles of good governance, and international best practices.