Nineteen more individuals, including three minors, have been arraigned at State High Court 10 in Maiduguri, Borno State, following similar charges in the Federal High Court in Abuja. This recent court action is tied to their alleged involvement in August’s EndBadGovernance protests, which have sparked widespread public outcry and calls for charges against minors to be dropped.
Justice Aisha Mohammed Ali presided over the case, where the suspects, aged between 14 and 17, faced charges related to protest activities. The Borno State Attorney General, Hauwa Abubakar, presented accusations against the defendants for treason, defaming Governor Babagana Zulum on social media, and inciting citizens against the state. Prosecutors alleged that the minors had joined a social media group, Zanga-Zanga, where members reportedly discussed taking arms—a charge punishable under section 79 of Borno State’s Penal Code Law, 2023.
In a separate charge, 11 defendants were accused of raising a Russian flag and chanting “Bama yi” (Hausa for “we reject”), an action the prosecution argued violated section 42 and section 76(b) of the penal code.
All defendants pleaded not guilty. While the prosecution sought an adjournment to gather witnesses and evidence, defense counsel Barrister Yakubu Alhaji Adamu pushed for a swift trial, noting that many defendants had been detained for over 90 days. “Only with an accelerated hearing can justice be served for these young people before this honorable court,” Adamu argued.
Justice Ali set the next hearing for November 18, 2024. She ordered that the minors be transferred to a juvenile home while adult defendants remain in prison until then.