Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has strongly condemned the detention of minors involved in the recent #EndBadGovernance protests, describing it as “inhumane and unjust”.
She called on the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to investigate the detention order granted by Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court.
According to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, detaining minors in a medium correctional facility is wrong and violates their fundamental human rights.
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the lawmaker, Aroghonlo Israel on Saturday, Natasha emphasised that children should be tried in a juvenile court, and their identities protected, not displayed or published in court.
The senator also urged the Controller of Prisons, Haliru Nababa, to investigate the detention conditions of juveniles at the Kuje prisons, citing malnourishment and improper facilities.
She stressed that Kuje medium security custodian centre is not designed for detaining children and that juvenile correctional facilities should be used instead.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan appealed to the Federal Government to “temper justice with mercy” and release the detained minors, stating that they were likely used by unscrupulous adults to commit crimes. She believes that the children should be in school, not in detention.
This development comes after 76 minors were arraigned in a Federal High Court in Abuja, sparking widespread concern over the treatment of protesters, particularly minors.