A Nigerian court has released 119 individuals, including minors, after authorities dropped charges linked to August protests over economic hardships that turned deadly. Charges against the accused included treason and inciting a military coup, with some offenses carrying the death penalty. The protesters were initially arraigned in two batches of 76 and 43 last Friday.
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of all detained minors and withdrew charges against them. Following this directive, the court struck out the case, and the 119 protesters were freed.
Deji Adeyanju, the protesters’ counsel, confirmed their release, stating, “We are now calling for their rehabilitation and compensation by their respective state governments.” The attorney general, who had recently taken over the case from the police, expedited its hearing, initially scheduled for January, and dismissed the charges.
