Sign in

Atiku Condemns Treatment of Malnourished Children in Court

..Calls for Respect for Child Rights Act

Published

Friday, November 1, 2024 at 06:57 PM

Written by Brenda Izu

Atiku Condemns Treatment of Malnourished Children in Court

Former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep concern over disturbing videos of malnourished children being presented before the Federal High Court.

In a statement issued by his media team in Abuja on Friday, and a subsequent post on his official X account, Abubakar described the scene as evocative of “infamous Nazi concentration camps.”

The distressing videos circulated widely, showed underage protesters brought into the courtroom in visibly weak and malnourished conditions.

The children were among 76 protesters detained during the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations held between August 1 and August 10. These protests, spanning Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states, were fueled by Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship, prompting many to publicly voice their grievances.

The demonstrators were arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, facing charges that include allegations of treason. However, reports indicate that four minors struggled to remain upright in court, a situation so alarming that they were quickly removed from the courtroom for urgent assistance.

Reflecting on the scenes, Atiku condemned what he termed as “utter violation” of Section 11 of the Child’s Rights Act, which protects children from physical, mental, or emotional injury, as well as from any form of torture or inhuman punishment.

The former vice president stressed that the Nigerian Constitution and the Child Rights Act guarantee every citizen, including children, the right to peaceful protest, especially when they are directly impacted by governmental policies.

“If they are just being arraigned three months later, one can only imagine the sort of dehumanizing conditions they had been subjected to while detained,” Abubakar stated.

“I find it reprehensible that a man who claims to have fought for Nigeria’s democracy and led protests himself now demonizes those who decide to demonstrate against the effects of his harsh and draconian policies.”

He emphasized the need for Nigeria to respect and uphold the rights of its vulnerable citizens, particularly children, who are often the most impacted by national economic policies. “A nation can be assessed by the way it treats its most vulnerable citizens. It is saddening that even underage children are not spared,” Abubakar added.

Atiku however called for urgent reform and respect for human rights, stressing that the treatment of these children shows the very grievances that fueled the protests.

Edited By: Chinedu Eze

The journey to greatness is one step at a time and you should be part of it.

Join the NDconnect community channels on WhatsApp and Telegram to get News updates and add to the voices shaping the future : ❤️

WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VajWDeK29754T7BzHU2H

WhatsApp Community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Dlm6LmlgmzaKCMUYP4BPwC

Telegram t.me/NDConnectNewsAlert

11 months ago

Apprehend Kidnappers of Justice Umukoro

11 months ago

Rivers: Peace at What Price?

11 months ago

2027: Can the Coalition Work?

1 year ago

Tinubu, Democracy Day, and June 12

1 year ago

Diri at 66: Daring The Terrain in Bayelsa

1 year ago

PDP's Rescue Mission

1 year ago

Reoccurring Nightmare of Police Brutality

1 year ago

Adieu Pa Clark (May 25, 1927 to February 17, 2025)

1 year ago

All Eyes on Pope Leo XIV

see more

NSC Pushes For Unified eSports Growth In Nigeria

1 year ago

Shell-Nigeria Appoints 32-yr Old As New MD For SNEPCo

1 year ago

We Are Committed To Job Creation Through Marine Resources - Zibs-Godwin

...Bayelsa Govt Marks World Fisheries Day

1 year ago

Abia Govt to Address Dismissal Of Non-Indigenous Workers

...protesters hope for resolution of issues

1 year ago

APGA Chairman Lauds Tinubu Over Bianca's Appointment

1 year ago

Unpaid Salaries: 84 Members Dead in Three Months - ASUU Reveals

Niger Delta Connect is an award winning indigenous and community based news platform that delivers high quality and original stories that shine light on emerging developments, connect & unravel underreported realities in the Niger Delta.

Your News

Niger Delta News

Inside naija

World News

Quick Links

Atiku Condemns Treatment of Malnourished Children in Court

Former Vice President and 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar has expressed deep concern over disturbing videos of malnourished children being presented before the Federal High Court.

In a statement issued by his media team in Abuja on Friday, and a subsequent post on his official X account, Abubakar described the scene as evocative of “infamous Nazi concentration camps.”

The distressing videos circulated widely, showed underage protesters brought into the courtroom in visibly weak and malnourished conditions.

The demonstrators were arraigned before Justice Obiora Egwuatu, facing charges that include allegations of treason. However, reports indicate that four minors struggled to remain upright in court, a situation so alarming that they were quickly removed from the courtroom for urgent assistance.

Reflecting on the scenes, Atiku condemned what he termed as “utter violation” of Section 11 of the Child’s Rights Act, which protects children from physical, mental, or emotional injury, as well as from any form of torture or inhuman punishment.

The former vice president stressed that the Nigerian Constitution and the Child Rights Act guarantee every citizen, including children, the right to peaceful protest, especially when they are directly impacted by governmental policies.

“If they are just being arraigned three months later, one can only imagine the sort of dehumanizing conditions they had been subjected to while detained,” Abubakar stated.

“I find it reprehensible that a man who claims to have fought for Nigeria’s democracy and led protests himself now demonizes those who decide to demonstrate against the effects of his harsh and draconian policies.”

Atiku however called for urgent reform and respect for human rights, stressing that the treatment of these children shows the very grievances that fueled the protests.

Apprehend Kidnappers of Justice Umukoro

Rivers: Peace at What Price?

2027: Can the Coalition Work?

Tinubu, Democracy Day, and June 12

Diri at 66: Daring The Terrain in Bayelsa

PDP's Rescue Mission

Reoccurring Nightmare of Police Brutality

Adieu Pa Clark (May 25, 1927 to February 17, 2025)

All Eyes on Pope Leo XIV

see more

Recommended Stories

NSC Pushes For Unified eSports Growth In Nigeria

Shell-Nigeria Appoints 32-yr Old As New MD For SNEPCo

We Are Committed To Job Creation Through Marine Resources - Zibs-Godwin

Abia Govt to Address Dismissal Of Non-Indigenous Workers

APGA Chairman Lauds Tinubu Over Bianca's Appointment

Unpaid Salaries: 84 Members Dead in Three Months - ASUU Reveals