On Tuesday, a Nigerian court freed 119 individuals, including minors, after authorities dropped charges against them related to August’s protests against economic hardship, which had turned deadly.
The group had faced severe charges, such as treason and incitement of a military coup, with some accusations carrying the death penalty. They were arraigned last Friday in two groups of 76 and 43 people.
President Bola Tinubu directed the release of all detained minors from the August protests and ordered the dismissal of charges against them on Monday.
“The case has been dismissed, and all 119 protesters have been released,” confirmed Deji Adeyanju, counsel for the protesters. “Now, we are advocating for their rehabilitation and compensation from their respective state governments.”
The attorney general assumed control of the case from the police, expediting it from a January court date, and ultimately withdrew the charges.
