A pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, the Defense for Yoruba People’s Right (DYPR) has strongly condemned what it called unjust and unlawful detention and prosecution of about 28 minors, aged between 12-15, on treason charges by the Federal Government.
The group also called on the President Bola Tinubu to immediately call for the unconditional release of the victims in the interest of a democrat who he claimed to be.
The DYPR in a release signed by its National President, Otunba Muyideen Olamoyegun, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Sunday lamented over the development which he described as a disturbing incident which has led to widespread outrage and calls for immediate action.
The Yoruba group while expressing deep concern and disappointment over the development, described it as injustice and uncalled for, noted that the action of the Federal Government as inhuman and unlawful in the eyes of the law.
“It’s disturbing and a show of shame for the police that minors, barely out of childhood, are being subjected to such trauma and injustice. The fact that some collapsed in court due to malnutrition in the detention of the police and poor health conditions is heartbreaking.
“We demand immediate apology, release and protection for these children, the police must have staffed and treated them badly while in the detention, that might have been the reason some of them collapsed in the court.
” You can see their lawyers who offered free legal defense for them still scrambled to give them water and snacks in the court, this show of shame is not good enough for the image of our dear country” he stated.
The Yoruba group equally demands for unconditional release of the detained minors, provision of adequate medical care and nutrition.
Condemning the statement credited to the lead Counsel to the Federal Government, claiming that some of the victims are University graduates and married men, the Yoruba group called for thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention, ensuring the safety and well-being of the minors as well as review of the juvenile justice system to prevent similar incidents.
He equally urged the Federal Government to intervene and address the injustice, calling on the National Assembly to equally review and reform the juvenile justice system.
The Yoruba group called on other civil society organizations and human rights groups to join the advocacy, stressing that members of the public demand justice and protection for these minors, apparently to prevent any future occurrence.