Educate arrested minors or face legal action, Falana warns FG

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has urged the Federal Government to reintegrate and educate all minors arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests, warning of legal action if the government fails to comply.

This appeal was made at the launch of Richard Akinnola’s book, Judicial Terrorism, on Tuesday at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja.

Falana emphasized that the government’s decision to drop charges against 119 individuals, including 29 minors, is insufficient. He stressed the importance of rehabilitation and education for the youths who should have been in school during the protests.

He pointed out that the government’s duty is outlined in the child rights law, which mandates free and compulsory education for all children in Nigeria.

The senior lawyer said, “Just this morning before this program commenced, I was in court in Abuja, where 119 Nigerians, including twenty-nine minors, were brought to court. The government was so ashamed that it couldn’t take them to the courtroom, unlike last week.

“The government came to court this morning to withdraw the frivolous charges. So, the young people have been freed.

“But as I told the court, it’s not enough to terminate this trial. These young people, who should have been in school during the protests, must be rehabilitated by the government. We will ensure they are rehabilitated and sent to school.

“If the government fails, we will sue the government. It is the government’s responsibility, according to the child rights law, adopted and enacted by all states of the Federation. Section 15 of that law provides that every child in Nigeria shall receive free and compulsory education from primary to secondary school.”

The book launch featured a panel of prominent figures discussing the implications of the book and the current state of governance in Nigeria.

In his remarks, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Hassan Kukah, stated that the worst periods in Nigeria’s history may be over, urging citizens to remain united and avoid internal conflicts.

He reminded Nigerians of the dire situations in places like Gaza and Lebanon, reinforcing the importance of national cohesion.

Kukah stated, “We might assume that the worst times in our history are over. But let us remain united. What we have is a treasure.

“This is a great country, and people have laid down their lives for it. We often take it for granted, not realizing what it means to be without a country.

“What did the people of Gaza do? What did the people of Lebanon do? We hear stories of disasters affecting hundreds of thousands daily.

“But in Nigeria, we are turning the knife on ourselves. Moving forward, it’s important for Christians to develop the spirit of forgiveness, understanding that nothing happens outside God’s will.”

Furthermore, the chairman of the occasion, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, represented by Owei Lakemfa, criticized the persistent military influence in Nigeria’s judicial system, suggesting that remnants of military control still exist despite decades of civilian rule.

However, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, defended the military, asserting that individual misconduct should not tarnish the entire institution, emphasizing that power misuse is not limited to the military or judiciary.

Irabor said, “When you talk about military terrorism, the implication is that the military is capable of ignoble acts. There are people, including civilians, who misuse power. Misuse of power should not paint the entire judiciary negatively.

“Individuals within the judiciary should be identified to address issues of justice. While thanking everyone for the work done to ensure democracy, we must ensure that such occurrences never happen again. The military remains an establishment for the Nigerian people. It is not the military as an institution that engages in abnormalities.

“There is nowhere in our training that teaches conducting coups or misusing power.”

The publication of Akinnola’s book aims to clarify historical narratives surrounding the 1992 Zangon Kataf crises, as shared by former military Governor of Rivers State, Lt. Gen. Zamani Lekwot (rtd).

Lekwot, who is the Agwabyin Atyap Chiefdom, said, “I feel fulfilled to witness this landmark publication that gives a true picture of what transpired during and after the Zangon Kataf crisis. The false narratives attributed to me by irresponsible people in high places are akin to giving a dog a bad name to hang it.

“I was shamelessly framed by my enemies who lacked the courage to tell me where I had wronged them, if ever.”