House of Reps  Demands Compensation For Freed Minors

By Akinwale Kasali

Lawmakers in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly has condemned the detention of 76 #EndBadGovernance protesters, many of whom were minors.

The Minors were charged with Terrorism, Treason, and Arson for participating in the protest, and flaunting Russia’s flag.

For the ugly incident, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to compensate and rehabilitate the minors.

In a statement, the Caucus, led by Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, and co-signed by Hon. Ali Isa, Deputy Minority, and Chief Whip, Hon. Aliyu Madaki,  Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. George Ozodinobi, the House Caucus described the detention as “despicable, callous, and inhuman.”

“We commend President Bola Tinubu for his prompt directive, coming a few days after the arraignment of the children, which led to the Attorney-General of the Federation seeking to assume control and termination of the suit charge entirely,” the statement said.

The Caucus demanded a comprehensive investigation and accountability, stating, “While we extol the President for the timely intervention, the Caucus strongly canvass for the possible investigation, prosecution, and discipline of individuals and government agencies involved in the despicable, callous, and inhuman action that has led to national disgrace and global condemnation.”

They also emphasised the need for justice, saying: “Anybody and institution that played roles in the hounding of the children into cells for about 95 days when they should be at their respective schools, trades, and vocations must be brought to book for necessary public umbrage and punitive measures discharged to serve as a deterrent to others.”

The Caucus called for “quality reformatory therapy sessions and medical support” to aid the children’s recovery, as well as “immediate reparation packages to the victims and their families to ameliorate the untoward hardship, pain, and emotional torture suffered during the period of unlawful incarceration.”

It would be recalled that the Coalition of Human Rights Group had demanded that the FG should compensate the Minors for the ill treatment meted on them while incarcerated, which is a violation of their fundamental Human Rights.