119 Protesters, Including Minors, Freed By Nigerian Court Amid Calls For Rehabilitation

A Nigerian court on Tuesday released 119 people, including minors, after authorities dropped charges stemming from deadly protests in August against economic hardship.

The protesters initially faced serious charges, including treason and inciting a military coup. They were arraigned in groups of 76 and 43 last Friday, with one of the charges carrying a potential death penalty.

On Monday, President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of all minors detained during the anti-government protests and dismissed the charges against them. "The case has been struck out, and the 119 protesters have been released," confirmed Deji Adeyanju, counsel to the protesters, in a statement to Reuters.

Adeyanju added, "Now, we are asking for their rehabilitation and compensation by their respective state governments."

The attorney general took over the case from the police and expedited proceedings that were originally scheduled for January, leading to the charges being dropped and the swift release of the protesters.

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