Five Malnourished Minors Collapse During Abuja Court Hearing on #EndBadGovernance Protests, Rushed to Hospital

Five minors facing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja collapsed during a hearing on charges of treasonable felony. The charges stemmed from their involvement in the August #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests, which called for governmental reforms. The court incident, which unfolded on Friday, has raised urgent concerns over the health and welfare of the detained minors.

Witnesses reported that the courtroom was plunged into confusion when one minor initially collapsed. Within minutes, four other minors also slumped, appearing visibly weak and malnourished. The collapse occurred just as the minors were instructed to stand in the dock, highlighting their fragile condition.

Attorneys and court officials rushed to provide first aid to the minors before they were transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention. The incident temporarily halted proceedings and underscored the severity of the minors’ condition.

In response to the medical emergency, prosecutors moved to withdraw charges against the minors on health grounds, citing provisions under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) of 2015. Abubakar Marshal, the defence counsel representing the minors, urged the court to release them to their families to ensure they receive adequate care.