Teens face death penalty in Nigeria's treason charges
In Nigeria, 29 teenagers aged 14 to 17 have been charged with treason for participating in demonstrations against the country's severe economic conditions. They face the death penalty.
3 November 2024 17:04
A total of 76 individuals who took part in Friday's protest appeared in court on charges of treason, property damage, disturbing public order, and inciting rebellion. The court set bail for the accused at 10 million naira, which is approximately 7,000 Canadian dollars.
Among the accused are 29 teenagers. Four of them collapsed in court from exhaustion before giving their statements. A lawyer from Abuja, Akintayo Balogun, highlighted that the Child Rights Act does not permit minors to be subjected to criminal proceedings or sentenced to death.
Mass protests in Nigeria
Nigeria has been experiencing a wave of mass protests for several months. Citizens are taking to the streets, demanding more job opportunities and improved living conditions. In August, clashes with law enforcement resulted in at least 20 fatalities, and hundreds were arrested.
Despite being Africa's largest oil producer, Nigeria remains one of the poorest countries in the world. With a population of 210 million, the largest on the continent, the country struggles with chronic corruption, high inflation, and food insecurity for many citizens.
Controversial accusations
The death penalty was introduced into the Nigerian penal code in the 1970s, but no executions have been carried out since 2016.
The current charges against minors are controversial and raise concerns regarding human rights compliance in the country.
