The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to each of the malnourished minors detained during the #EndHunger protests in August, setting the condition at ₦10 million per child.
Of the 76 protesters, at least 32 were minors aged 14 to 17. During the court proceedings on Friday, four of these children collapsed and had to be rushed to a medical facility for immediate care.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu outlined that each defendant must secure two sureties, including a civil servant on at least grade level 15 and a parent. Both sureties are required to provide verifiable addresses to the court to finalize the bail.
In a temporary reprieve, prosecutors withdrew charges against the ailing minors, invoking the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which allows health-related exemptions.
Footage reviewed by *Peoples Gazette* captured the distressing scene in court, showing children lying on the floor in apparent agony, too weak to stand. Lawyers urgently scrambled to arrange medical assistance.
These children, along with other detained protesters, have endured over two months in custody, with many visibly emaciated. Protesters facing charges were arrested in various states, including Abuja, Kano, Plateau, Kaduna, Gombe, and Katsina, between August 1 and 10.
Among those charged with treason are minors like Umar Musa, 15, and Muhammadu Mustapha, 16, as well as young adults such as Awolu Abdulahi, 21, and Nura Ibrahim, 24.
The arrest and detention of the minors have sparked public outrage, with Nigerians voicing criticism against President Bola Tinubu. His administration faces mounting discontent as fuel prices have surged to ₦1,065 per litre, a sharp increase from ₦170 in 2023, compounding inflation. Meanwhile, the naira has plummeted to an all-time low of ₦1,700 to a dollar, further straining a population heavily dependent on imported goods.
