Dramatic scene at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday morning, an underage protester collapsed before proceedings began. The protester, among a group of minors detained by the Nigeria Police Force since August, fainted while standing in the dock during the trial related to a recent protest against worsening economic hardship and security issues under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Photos and videos reviewed by our correspondent show other detainees in the courtroom rushing to assist as the teenager lay on the floor, some attempting to help with resuscitation. One image shows a lawyer attempting to revive the protester.
The detained teenagers were participants in the #EndBadGovernance protest, a movement that has seen widespread mobilization against policies contributing to economic hardship. Following an ex-parte order by Justice Emeka Nwite, the minors have been held in detention for 60 days to allow police to conclude an investigation into allegations that the protesters were attempting to disrupt democratic processes.
More updates and the video from the courtroom can be found below: VIDEO
