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Nigerian court frees 119 protesters from death penalty
A Nigerian court has released 119 protesters, including minors, after the government dropped charges over deadly protests over economic hardship.
Nigerian court frees 119 protesters from death penalty
In Abuja, Nigeria, a court released a total of 119 people, including minors, on Tuesday after authorities dropped charges against them. These charges arose in connection with deadly protests in August, which took place due to the country's economic distress.
Accusations and legal action
The defendants faced serious charges, including treason and calling for a military coup. They were brought to court last Friday in two groups, one of 76 and one of 43 people. One of the charges could have resulted in the death penalty.
The government's reaction
President Bola Tinubu on Monday ordered the release of all underage protesters arrested during the anti-government protests in August and dropped charges against them.
Rehabilitation and compensation demanded
“The case has been dropped and the 119 protesters have been released,” Deji Adeyanju, the protesters’ lawyer, told Reuters. “Now we are demanding their rehabilitation and compensation from the respective state governments.”
Development of the legal situation
The country's attorney general took over the case from police and dropped the charges after moving up the trial, originally scheduled for January.