Even underage children are not spared from T-Pain administration’s inhumanity — Atiku
by Adenle Ahmed Abiola · The Eagle OnlineThe 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticised the President Bola Tinubu-led administration over the arrest, detention, and arraignment of 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters, including underage children.
A dramatic scene unfolded at the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Friday as five minors were among those put on trial.
They were on trial for alleged treasonable felony and attempting to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government collapsed while standing in the courtroom.
According to reports, the incident began when one malnourished minor fainted, followed by four others who also fell to the floor, creating chaos as court proceedings were interrupted.
The reportedly frail-looking minor slumped as the charge was about to be read, prompting the judge to halt proceedings and return to his chambers.
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Reacting to the development, Atiku condemned the federal government’s actions, stating that even underage children have not been spared from what he describes as the “wickedness” of Tinubu, referring to him as “T Pain.”
Taking to his X handle, Atiku expressed his outrage, saying, “A disturbing video of malnourished children being arraigned before a Federal High Court on the orders of the Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has come to my attention.
“The horrible scene, reminiscent of a Nazi concentration camp, once again reflects the low value this government places on the lives of the vulnerable, especially children.”
The former vice president emphasized the importance of protecting children’s rights, referencing Section 11 of the Child’s Rights Act, which guarantees the dignity of every child.
He quoted the Act, stating, “Every child is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, no child shall be subjected to physical, mental, or emotional injury, abuse, neglect, or maltreatment, including sexual abuse; nor shall any child be subjected to torture, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment.”
Atiku criticized the delay in the arraignment of these children, noting, “The children are being prosecuted for their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests that occurred between August 1 and August 10, 2024.
“If they are just being arraigned three months later, one can only imagine the dehumanizing conditions they have endured during their detention.”
He expressed his disappointment that a leader who once fought for Nigeria’s democracy and led protests is now demonizing those who peacefully protest against the impacts of his harsh policies.
“Children, who are among the most affected by these policies, have every right to protest peacefully, as guaranteed by the Constitution and the Child Rights Act.
“A nation can be assessed by how it treats its most vulnerable citizens. It is saddening that even underage children are not spared from the wickedness of T Pain,” Atiku stated.
“The disturbing conditions under which the accused children were brought to court only reinforce the justification for their participation in the protests in the first place,” he added.
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