By Ikechukwu Nnochiri On November 1, 2024, the nation shuddered in palpable disbelief after 32 malnourished minors were marched into the dock of the Federal High Court in Abuja to face charges that bordered on treason. The children, aged 13 to 17, appeared in court after spending about three months in police detention. They were among 76 people arrested in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states for allegedly participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests, which lasted from August 1 to 10, 2024. The proceedings had barely commenced when four of the visibly distressed children slumped inside the dock, a development that caused panic in the courtroom. The judge abruptly halted the sitting to enable them to receive medical attention. When the sitting resumed, the prosecution applied to delist the four ailing children from the case and thereafter arraigned the other minors on a 10-count charge that included an allegation that they had attempted to destabilize the country by calling on the military to take over the government from President Bola Tinubu. The children huddled in the dock during their arraignment; others stood outside the cubicle owing to limited space. Following their plea of not guilty, trial Justice Obiora Egwuatu granted each defendant bail in the sum of N10 million, with two sureties in like sum. Part of the bail conditions required one surety to be a Level 15 civil servant, while the court ordered that the second surety must be the parent of the defendant. The Federal Government intervened after video clips showing unkempt minors scrambling for water and biscuits on the court premises went viral on social media. The Attorney‑General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, invoked sections 174(1)(b) and (c) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, to withdraw the charge originally filed by the police. The charge was accordingly struck out by the court. The incident prompted broad public outrage and drew condemnations from the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Human Rights Commission, both of which said it violated the Child Rights Act, 2003. The case also thrust into the spotlight the plight of children in conflict with the law: the shortage of borstal institutions that forces minors into adult detention facilities, and the persistent lack of legal representation for children from indigent families. The 32 minors remained in detention until a human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, volunteered to represent them in court on a pro bono basis. The Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (LACoN), which is statutorily mandated to provide free, effective, and efficient legal aid to indigent Nigerians, has repeatedly lamented a chronic paucity of funds that hinders its operations. Determined to ensure free access to justice for juvenile offenders, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on August 10, unveiled a N120 million strategic partnership with the NBA. The country representative of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed, said the organization’s decision to partner with the NBA was founded on the principle that no child should be denied justice because of a lack of legal representation. She said: “This partnership seeks to ensure that children in contact with the law are protected, represented, and supported throughout the justice process, regardless of their background, location, or economic circumstances. “Across Nigeria, children continue to encounter barriers when interacting with the justice system. Some find themselves in detention without legal representation. Others experience lengthy delays in case management, limited access to diversion opportunities, weak referral systems, and inadequate support services. “These challenges underscore the urgent need for coordinated action and stronger investment in child-friendly justice systems. “At UNICEF, we firmly believe that access to justice is not simply a legal issue. It is a child protection issue, a development issue, and a matter of human dignity. Every child, whether a victim, survivor, witness, or child alleged to have committed an offence, deserves fair treatment, due process, and the opportunity to have their voice heard.” According to UNICEF, the NBA, through its extensive network of legal practitioners in its 130 branches, “can help institutionalize child-sensitive legal representation and establish sustainable pathways for pro bono services across Nigeria.” Speaking after he signed the partnership deal on behalf of the NBA, the association’s incumbent President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, said the aim was to ensure that every child can access justice, protection, and effective legal representation when their rights are violated, regardless of circum
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