A Nigerian court has released 119 individuals, including minors after the government dropped charges stemming from August protests against economic hardship.
Those detained had initially faced serious charges like treason and inciting a military coup, with some charges potentially carrying the death penalty. Last Friday, they were arraigned in two groups of 76 and 43 individuals.
President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of all minors involved in the anti-government protests on Monday and lifted all charges against them.
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According to Deji Adeyanju, the protesters' legal counsel, the case has been dismissed, and all 119 individuals have now been freed. Adeyanju further emphasized the need for state governments to rehabilitate and compensate the released protesters.
The Nigerian attorney general expedited the case, initially set for a January hearing, taking control from the police and ultimately dismissing all charges.
