May 25, 2025 10:18 pm
Full News

29 Children in Nigeria May Face Death Penalty for Protesting Cost-of-Living Crisis

Twenty-nine children in Nigeria, ages 14 to 17, could face the death penalty after being arraigned on Friday for participating in a protest against the nation’s severe cost-of-living crisis. During the hearing, four of the minors reportedly collapsed in court due to exhaustion before they were able to enter their pleas.

A total of 76 protesters were charged with ten felony counts, including treason, destruction of property, public disturbance, and mutiny, according to documents seen by The Associated Press. Protests over economic hardships have intensified in recent months. In one August protest, at least 20 people were fatally shot, and hundreds more were arrested while demanding jobs and economic relief for young people.

Debate Over Legality of Death Penalty for Minors

The Child Rights Act, according to Akintayo Balogun, a lawyer in Abuja, prohibits minors from being tried and sentenced to death. “Taking minors before a federal high court is wrong, ab initio, except if the government is able to prove that the boys are all above 19 years,” Balogun explained.

The court has granted each of the defendants bail set at 10 million naira ($5,900), though stringent conditions have left the young protesters struggling to meet the requirements. Marshal Abubakar, a lawyer representing some of the boys, criticized the prolonged detention conditions, stating, “These children have been in detention for 90 days without food.”

Outcry Over Treatment of Minors and Government Accountability

Civil society groups and activists have expressed outrage over the arrests. Yemi Adamolekun, executive director of Enough is Enough, a Nigerian organization advocating for good governance, argued that authorities should not be prosecuting children. She also criticized the Nigerian chief justice for allowing such proceedings to occur, saying, “The chief justice of Nigeria should be ashamed. She is a woman and a mother.”

Nigeria’s Economic Crisis and Social Unrest

Despite being one of Africa’s leading oil producers, Nigeria remains one of the world’s poorest nations due to chronic corruption. Public officials enjoy some of the highest salaries in Africa, in stark contrast to the general population’s struggles. The inflation rate is at a 28-year high, the local naira currency has hit record lows, and food insecurity has reached critical levels.

A recent report from UN food agencies classified Nigeria as a “hotspot of very high concern” as millions of Nigerians are facing severe food shortages. In a country of over 210 million people—Africa’s most populous—government efforts to create jobs and stabilize the economy have largely fallen short, leading to mounting unrest and dissatisfaction across the nation.

Related News
Arsenal star’s wife threatened on social media after penalty miss
Cineworld Shuts 6 More Cinemas in the UK, Total Closures Reach 11
Saif Ali Khan Stabbed in Home; Bangladeshi Attacker Arrested
Ben Affleck Stars in RIP and The Accountant 2 This Spring
Gladiator Star Dropped, Jacob Elordi Joins New Thriller
Dreaded Militant Maulana Mohibullah Freed From Jail Gate After Forcibly Protesting
Related Posts
Zelensky Criticizes US ‘Silence’ After Russia Launches Record Air Assault on Ukraine
U.S.-German Citizen Arrested for Attempted Firebombing of U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv
Sudden Emergency Meeting at Jamuna Residence Between Chief Adviser and Chief Justice Sparks Public Uproar
Ukraine Shoots Down 45 Missiles and 266 Drones in a Single Night
North Korea Detains Officials After Warship Launch Disaster
Deadlock at Bangladesh’s NBR: Revenue Activities Paralyzed Amid Work Stoppage; BGB and Police Deployed
More News

Japan, US, and South Korea Strengthen Alliance, Announce Creation of Trilateral Secretariat

Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba of Japan, U.S. President Joe Biden, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit in Lima to discuss strengthening their cooperation. During their meeting, the leaders reached a consensus to establish a trilateral secretariat, aiming to enhance collaboration among the […]

United States Engages in Talks with Iran, Bypassing Europe

The U.S. is facing criticism for its diplomatic decision to hold secret talks with Iran in Oman regarding its nuclear program without coordinating with European allies. Analysts and diplomats believe this move could reduce pressure on Iran and potentially heighten the risk of military action from Israel and the U.S., according to a report by […]

NATO Responds to Russia’s Use of Experimental Missile in Ukraine

Brussels: NATO has condemned Russia’s deployment of an experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile in Ukraine, asserting that the strike will not alter the course of the conflict. The attack, which targeted the city of Dnipro on Thursday, has sparked international concern over an escalation in the war. NATO: Support for Ukraine Will Continue Farah Dakhlallah, a […]

Reddit Overtakes X as Fifth Most Popular Social Media Platform in the UK

Reddit has surpassed X (formerly Twitter) to become the fifth most popular social media platform in the UK, according to a report by Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator. The platform attracted 22.9 million UK adult visitors in May 2024, compared to X’s 22.1 million, marking a significant milestone in Reddit’s growth trajectory. The data reveals […]

Napoli Win In A Thrilling 5-goal Match At Atalanta

In addition to consolidating top spot, Napoli also avenged their first ever defeat in the league. In the high-voltage match between the two title contenders, Napoli conceded goals early on. However, they turned around from being persistent in the goal. Atalanta did not give up. In a dramatic battle with repeated twists and turns, Napoli […]

China Grants Visa-Free Entry to Major Latin American Countries

BEIJING – In a significant diplomatic gesture, China has announced a visa-free entry policy for citizens of Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and Uruguay, effective June 1, 2025, and valid for one year. The move is part of Beijing’s broader strategy to enhance political and economic engagement with Latin America, a region increasingly seen as a […]

Commonwealth Report on Bangladesh Withdrawn Amid Bias Allegations

A group of MPs has retracted a contentious report on Bangladesh following accusations of bias in favor of the ousted government of Sheikh Hasina. The all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on the Commonwealth released the report last November, criticizing the current regime in Dhaka but facing significant inaccuracies. Officials have confirmed that the report is no […]

Mark Carney Sworn In as Canada’s Prime Minister Amid Trade Tensions with U.S.

Mark Carney, former central banker and leader of the Liberal Party, has officially been sworn in as Canada’s 24th Prime Minister. The ceremony, held at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, was presided over by Governor General Mary Simon, the representative of King Charles, Canada’s head of state. Carney, 59, takes office during a critical period for […]

The Eleventh-Hour Accord: The Behind-the-Scenes Drama of the Gaza Ceasefire Deal

In a dramatic turn of events that culminated just minutes before a planned announcement, a historic deal was finally brokered between Israeli and Hamas negotiators, marking a significant moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy. While the negotiators never met face-to-face, the frantic final hours of discussions took place with only a floor separating them in a […]

India Imposes Ban on Entry of Bangladeshi Garments and Several Products via Land Ports

India has imposed a ban on the entry of Bangladeshi garments and several other products through its land ports. The Indian government announced on Saturday (May 17) that such goods from Bangladesh will now only be allowed through the Nhava Sheva and Kolkata seaports. However, this restriction will not apply to goods exported from Bangladesh […]