The federal government has set plans in motion to improve the welfare of minors nabbed for allegedly participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests which took place between August 1 to 10, 2024.

The minister of youth development, Ayodele Olawande, disclosed this in a statement on Friday, hours after the 76 protesters were arraigned at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court.

Thirty-two out of those charged were children between 10 and 17 years old, while four of them collapsed in the court as they awaited their arraignment, before they were taken to a medical facility. 

Mr Olawande in the statement said, “The ministry is engaging with the ministry of interior towards ascertaining the facts of the situation and improving the welfare of the young people being held, not just in relation to this case, but in custodial centres across the country”.

“Please rest assured of the Ministry’s commitment to safeguarding youth interests and the welfare of young Nigerians, wherever they may be,” he added.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, had later granted each defendants N10 million bail, and asked them to provide two sureties, one of whom must be a civil servant on at least, grade level 15, while the second surety must be a parent, both of whom must submit verifiable addresses to the court before bail could be processed.

The prosecutors, however, prayed the court to adhere to the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which allows for temporary exemption on health grounds, to temporarily withdraw the charges against the minors who collapsed.

The charged minors are among protesters across the country, demanding a reduction in the cost of governance, return of fuel subsidy, amongst others.

The demonstration was, however, characterised by looting and vandalism in some states, after which the police arrested the suspects and arraigned them on September 2.