Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), says the fainting by some minors at the Abuja federal high court was “scripted”.
On Friday, the police arraigned 76 suspects – who are mostly
minors – for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest in August.
They are facing 10 counts bordering on mutiny, treason, and
destruction of public property.
Before they could take a plea, at least four of them collapsed. The court later granted the defendants – who looked ill and malnourished – N10 million bail each.
In a statement, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the
police, quoted Egbetokun as saying that the police have worked to balance
justice with compassion and ensured that each suspect’s basic rights and
privileges are respected.
“Today, an unexpected incident in court saw six of the
suspects suddenly rush out and faint, drawing media attention in a deliberate
and scripted manner to draw negative attention,” he said.
“Medical aid was promptly provided to these individuals,
demonstrating the Police Force’s commitment to the welfare of those in its
custody, irrespective of the allegations they face.
“While committed to
upholding justice, the Nigeria Police Force remains sensitive to the rights of
all individuals, including young persons. Under Nigerian law, individuals who
have reached the age of criminal responsibility are answerable for their
actions, regardless of their age.
“This principle aligns with global practices, where
accountability is upheld for young individuals who commit serious offenses. As
seen in other jurisdictions, including the United Kingdom, age does not exempt
individuals from facing legal consequences.
“However, each case is approached with empathy and in
accordance with human rights standards.”
The IGP added that the police would maintain
“professionalism” throughout the legal process.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com