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#EndBadGovernance Protests : CISLAC Says Detention of Minors Not Good for Nigeria’s Global Image, Urges Swift Release 

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The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has strongly condemned the detention and reported maltreatment of minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests.

“It is disturbing and damaging to Nigeria’s global image to witness such treatment of young citizens who were only exercising their constitutional rights,” said CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani.

In a position statement  today, CISLAC called on First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu to intervene, urging her to see these young detainees as “her own children.”

CISLAC appealed to President Bola Tinubu to halt these actions by government officials, including the Minister of Justice, and to immediately order the release of the minors.

The organization further urged international bodies like UNICEF, the World Food Organization, the World Health Organization, and the Save the Children Foundation to join in condemning the incident and pressuring the Nigerian government for an unconditional release.

Said CISLAC: We expressed deep concern following reports that several detained children, some under the age of 15, collapsed due to malnutrition inside a Federal High Court in Abuja.

The minors have been held since August by the Nigerian police after participating in protests against worsening insecurity and deprivation in the country.

“The inhumane detention and maltreatment of these children must end. Anyone responsible for detaining these minors unjustly is the true criminal here, and this incident warrants urgent intervention.”

Images and videos from the courtroom, circulating widely on social media, depict the harrowing scenes of some minors lying on the floor as lawyers and others tried to revive them.

The incident occurred when the minors were brought to court from various police detention cells, where reports claim they were denied adequate food and medical care.

Sources allege that the prolonged detention and harsh conditions were intended to punish the minors, who have been accused of fighting the government despite the absence of credible evidence.

CISLAC called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take immediate action, advocating for the rights of the detained minors.

The organization further urged international bodies like UNICEF, the World Food Organization, the World Health Organization, and the Save the Children Foundation to join in condemning the incident and pressuring the Nigerian government for an unconditional release.

“Detaining these children under such appalling conditions is unconscionable,” said  Rafsanjani.

“We are appealing to all responsible authorities to ensure their swift release and hold accountable those who orchestrated their detention. This incident stands as a dark stain on our national commitment to the rule of law and respect for human rights.”

The minors were initially detained following a police order, which cited alleged involvement in a supposed plot to destabilize the government.

However, CISLAC and other rights groups argue that their detention violates both national and international human rights standards.

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Edun, Dangiwa quit Tinubu’s cabinet * Oyedele becomes Finance Minister

Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the memberships of the Federal Executive Council.

In a memo signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, two cabinet members, Mr. Wale Edun and Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa are to leave the cabinet while their replacements have been named.

Edun, until the latest development, was the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy. He has been directed to hand over to Mr. Taiwo Oyedele who is now to take over as Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy.

Oyedele was formerly a Minister of State in the ministry.

Also Mr. Muttaqha Rabe Darma has been named as the ministerial nominee and minister designate for the Housing and Urban Development Ministry.

The memo also directed Dangiwa to hand over to the Minister of State in the ministry.

The memo stated that “all handing over and taking over processes should be completed on or before close of business on Thursday 23rd April, 2026.”

Explaining the President’s decision, Akume said: “These changes are aimed at strengthening cohesion, synergy in governance as well as achieving more impactful delivery on the economy to Nigerians, through the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

He said the President, in approving the cabinet reshuffle, has fully exercised his powers as conferred on him by Sections 147 and 148 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).

The President thanked the outgoing ministers for their services to the nation while wishing them the best in all their future endeavours.

The President, Akume noted, equally assured all cabinet members that “the process of reinvigoration shall be continuous.”

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Alleged Coup Plot: FG Files Charges Against Suspects arrested by DSS

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The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday filed a 13-count charges, under case number FHC/ABJ/CR/206/2026, against five suspects arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) in connection with an alleged foiled coup plot.

The suspects- Major General Mohammed Ibrahim Gana (rtd), Captain (NN) Erasmus Ochegobia Victor (rtd), Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, Zekeri Umoru, Bukar Kashim Goni, and Abdulkadir Sani, were apprehended by the agency following intelligence that uncovered plans to overthrow the government.

The charges filed against them include treasonable felony, conspiracy to overthrow the Government, conspiracy to commit terrorism and other offenses related to national security threats.

Recall that in September 2025, a joint covert operation led by the DSS had uncovered a deadly plot by some serving military officers to destabilize the government and undermine Nigeria’s democracy.

This led to the arrest of some alleged key figures involved in the coup.

“The arraignment points to the federal government’s resolve to counter subversive threats amid ongoing efforts to maintain stability in the country”, a source affirmed.

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Kaduna High Court Denies El-Rufai Bail

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The Kaduna State High Court has refused bail to former governor Nasir El-Rufai, citing concerns that his influence could interfere with ongoing investigations.

Justice Darius Khobo ruled that the allegations of financial impropriety against the former governor are serious enough to warrant his continued detention.

Counsel to El-Rufai, Ubong Akpan, SAN, says the defence disagrees with the decision but respects the court’s position. He confirms that the legal team will promptly challenge the ruling by filing the necessary appeal.

The defence also maintains that the case is politically motivated, describing the trial as part of a broader agenda.

The development comes despite an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court in Kaduna, which granted El-Rufai bail under strict conditions, pending compliance.

At the State High Court, El-Rufai is facing a nine-count charge, including allegations that he influenced the Kaduna State Government to release about eleven billion naira to an unregistered entity for a light rail project that was never executed. He has denied all the allegations.

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