The petition demands the immediate release of these youngsters and raises worries about their welfare as they are allegedly facing serious legal repercussions.
President Tinubu is urged to “protect the weak and enforce justice, particularly for our country’s children,” according to the petition, which started making the rounds on Saturday.
Petitioners claim that the arraignment of kids and the exorbitant bail requirements, which are set at millions of naira, are violations of Nigerian law and international norms for preserving children’s rights and dignity, citing the upsetting picture of children collapsing in court.
The petitioners made a moving plea to President Tinubu, recalling that children were not exposed to the “inhumane treatment” that these juveniles are currently experiencing, even during General Sani Abacha’s oppressive government.
According to the petition, Nigerians want the current government to support justice and compassion rather than repression, saying, “It pains us to see actions under your administration echoing a more brutal past.”
“We trust you may not be fully aware of the scale of this wrongdoing,” the petition goes on. We don’t think you would intentionally support this suffering. We pray for your kindness and faith to put an immediate end to this. Our country looks to you as its leader to defend the principles of justice, freedom, and compassion.
Civil rights groups including Amnesty International, Enough Is Enough Nigeria, and Hope Behind Bars Africa, as well as prominent individuals like former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, have openly denounced the treatment of these children and called for their immediate release.
Last week, there was more public criticism as one of the youngsters in custody passed out in court in a disturbing event.
According to reports, after the protest, Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police, charged the 22 juveniles with terrorism and secured remand warrants to hold them for more than 60 days.
Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, reportedly ordered the police to move the case file pertaining to the arrested #EndBadGovernance protesters to his office in response to the mounting criticism.
