#EndBadGovernance Protest: Trial stalled as four youths collapse in Court

By Taiye Agbaje

A mild drama unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday when four youths among the 76 defendants, accused of participating in the August #EndBadGovernance protest, collapsed during their trial.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the protest, which commenced on August 1 to demand better governance, concluded on August 10.

Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police had charged 11 protesters before Justice Emeka Nwite in a related court with treason, conspiracy to commit felony, and inciting mutiny, among other serious offenses under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

The protests led to the arrests of individuals in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Gombe, resulting in violence and fatalities across various regions.

On Friday, as the proceedings began, I-G’s lawyer, Audu Garba, informed the court that it was set to arraign the 76 defendants, who have been in detention.

However, shortly after the defendants were called into the dock to enter their pleas, four children collapsed in the open court.

The youths, identified as Usman Fatihu (21 years), Muhammed Yahaya (14 years), Muktar Ishak Alhassan (16 years), and Mustapha Ibrahim (18 years), were the 68th, 74th, 75th, and 76th defendants, respectively, in the ten-count charge related to treason and other offenses.

Trial judge Obiora Egwuatu promptly adjourned the proceedings before returning after a brief recess to continue the trial.