Rimazonte Ezekiel, counsel representing the Nigerian government, has denied allegations that minors were among the #EndBadGovernance protesters arraigned at the Federal High Court on Friday. His statement follows public outrage over reports that several of the detained protesters were underage.
In a video released by Channels Television, Ezekiel addressed the media after the court proceedings, asserting that all 43 individuals charged were adults, with many reportedly married and some university graduates. He clarified that any young children seen in the courtroom had come with their families and were not involved in the trial.
“These individuals we brought to court are adults,” Ezekiel stated. “Most are married, none is a minor. Some even hold university degrees. The children present were only there to support their loved ones; they are not part of the case.”
The protests, which took place in Kaduna and Zaria, have stirred national discussion after one of the defendants reportedly collapsed before the trial commenced. Ezekiel further alleged that the protesters had used foreign flags, including the Russian flag, to rally against the government, raising concerns about destabilizing influences.
He defended the Nigerian government’s commitment to democratic values, questioning the protesters’ calls for military intervention and expressing disappointment in their apparent rejection of democracy. “These young men are trying to destabilize Nigeria, using foreign flags to demand the removal of our President and state governors,” he noted.
Ezekiel dismissed claims from the defense counsel alleging police misconduct, stating, “Defense lawyers will always try to discredit the police, but it’s simply not true. All the defendants produced in court today are fully adults.”
The government has charged 43 defendants in connection with the protests, as the case draws national attention over the balance between free speech and public order in Nigeria.
Watch Video below..
''These boys that we brought to the court today are all adults. Most of them are married men, None of them is a minor.''
— Channels Television (@channelstv) November 1, 2024
-Counsel to the Federal Government on the 67 arraigned minors#ChannelsTV pic.twitter.com/iOVKNEBo8Z
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