The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and governors of Bauchi and Kano States have demanded the release of the minors facing trial for treason in the Abuja Federal High Court.
Already, Kano Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has directed the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice to take steps toward securing the release of the minors arrested for allegedly demanding regime change while participating in the #Endbadgovernance protests in Kano and Kaduna between August 1 to 10.
The state commissioner of Information and Internal Affairs, Baba Halilu Dantiye, confirmed the development on Sunday.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had on Friday, arraigned 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, among whom were minors.
Viral videos of the malnourished children sparked outrage with some civil society groups calling for their immediate and unconditional release from detention.
The 76 protesters were arraigned in two batches, 32 of whom were children.
The first batch was arraigned on a 10-count bordering on treason, intent to destabilize Nigeria, inciting to mutiny by calling on the military to take over government from President Bola Tinubu, among others.
They pleaded not guilty to the charge and were granted N10 million bail each.
Speaking to our correspondent, Dantiye said the Kano governor demanded the release of the minors via his X handle.
“The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has instructed the state’s Commissioner for Justice to act on the development,’’ the commissioner said.
“My attention has been drawn to the appearance of teenagers (some believed to be from Kano) in court today (Friday) in Abuja.
“The Commissioner of Justice has been instructed to act immediately on the issue. We shall do everything possible to get them back to Kano, Insha Allah,” the governor’s statement read on X.
The Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party Governors Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, said the North “must wake up” concerning the children arraigned for protesting.
