Maiduguri High Court in Borno State continued the trial of 19 individuals, including three minors, arrested for their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests, which called attention to the worsening economic hardship and hunger in Nigeria.
The accused individuals were arraigned by the Nigeria Police Force for charges of treason, related to their participation in the public demonstrations held earlier this year. The court proceedings, which resumed on Monday, November 18, 2024, are being held before Justice Aisha Mohammed Ali.
“Minors Among the Accused”
Among the 19 suspects, three are minors, ranging in age from 14 to 17. These young individuals, who were arrested in August 2024, are accused of conspiring to form a social media group called “Zanga-zanga” on platforms such as WhatsApp and TikTok. The prosecution alleges that the group intended to take up arms against the state—a serious accusation that could result in severe penalties under Section 79 of the Borno State Penal Code Law, 2023.
According to court documents, the minors were allegedly part of a larger group of seven people who discussed their intentions to launch an armed resistance, a claim that has sparked controversy in Nigeria.
“Russian Flag Display and Treason Charges”
In addition to the minors, 11 of the defendants face accusations of displaying the Russian flag during the protests. This act, which allegedly occurred in public spaces, is said to have violated Section 42 of the Borno State Penal Code Law, 2023, and could lead to punishments under Section 76(b) of the same law.
The display of the Russian flag, seen as a provocative symbol, has raised eyebrows, with critics questioning the motivations behind such actions during protests against the Nigerian government. The defendants, however, have denied all the charges.
“Defense Lawyers Appear in Court”
At the court session on Monday, defense lawyers were present to argue the case for the 19 defendants. The legal teams have consistently argued that their clients were merely participating in peaceful protests and not involved in any acts of violence or treason.
A lawyer representing some of the accused minors stated, “Our clients were protesting peacefully against the government’s failure to address hunger and economic hardship in the country. The charges against them are baseless and politically motivated.”
“National and Global Outrage”
The trial of these individuals has drawn national and international attention, particularly due to the involvement of minors in the case. Earlier in November, following widespread outrage over the arrests, President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of underage children who had been arraigned in a separate case at the Abuja Federal High Court.
The release of the minors was a direct response to the growing public and global condemnation of the arrests. Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, confirmed the release during a briefing at the State House in Abuja on November 1, 2024.
“Protests Against Economic Hardship”
The #EndBadGovernance protests began earlier in the year as a direct response to the rising levels of poverty, unemployment, and economic difficulties in Nigeria. Demonstrators, largely led by young Nigerians, used social media platforms to organize and spread messages of discontent. The protests quickly grew, with participants demanding accountability from the government and an end to what they viewed as poor governance and mismanagement of the country’s resources.
“Government Response to the Protests”
The government has faced criticism for its heavy-handed approach to dealing with the protests. Critics argue that arresting and charging individuals—especially minors—for engaging in peaceful demonstrations is a violation of their constitutional rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
However, the government insists that the arrests are necessary to maintain national security and protect the integrity of the state. Authorities have claimed that the protests were hijacked by groups with ulterior motives, including the potential for violent disruption.
