Isa Pantami Calls For IGP Inquiry Into Treatment Of Minors Charged With Treason

Isa Pantami Calls For IGP Inquiry Into Treatment Of Minors Charged With TreasonFormer Minister of Digital Economy, Isa Ali Pantami, has urged Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to investigate the troubling condition of minors charged with treason for protesting against hunger.

Reports indicate that approximately 75 minors, aged 12 to 15, were charged by the Nigeria Police at a Federal High Court in Abuja following their participation in an August protest against hunger.

On Friday, videos showing the minors in court gained significant attention on social media. Human rights organizations and activists, including Amnesty International, former Minister of Education Oby Ezekwesili, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, condemned the government’s trial of minors exercising their constitutional rights.

In a post on his X handle, Pantami, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, called for the protection of the children in accordance with the Child Rights Act of 2003. He wrote, “Dear Inspector General of Police, I am writing to bring to your attention a disturbing video I recently encountered, showing minors appearing in court in a visibly malnourished and sickly state. This is unacceptable in any decent society.”

He emphasized the collective duty to safeguard vulnerable individuals, particularly children, stating, “Ensuring their safety, well-being, and justice is not only a moral obligation but also a fundamental human right. The Child’s Rights Act of 2003, Section 11, states that every child is entitled to respect for their dignity and must not be subjected to injury, abuse, neglect, or maltreatment.”

Pantami urged an urgent investigation into the matter, calling for immediate care and protection for the affected children, accountability for those responsible for their condition, and preventive measures against similar incidents in the future. He concluded, “Protecting the weak and vulnerable is a cornerstone of justice, and I trust that your office will take this matter seriously.

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