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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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FG slams 8-count charges on Adeyemi over fake agency ” I’m not a criminal”, he defends

It was learned that the alleged ‘‘fake’’ Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was allocated N1.302 billion in the 2026 Budget of the Federal Government.

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Photo: Gbajabiamila, and Adeyemi

The Federal Government has filed an 8-count charges against Adeniyi Adeyemi, convener of a purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, over the controversy trailing the agency.

Adeyemi, however, fought back claiming that he was given an appointment letter.

Adeyemi, during an appearance on Channels Television claimed that the Chief of Staff to the President, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila gave him an appointment letter, insisting that he is not a criminal.

However, it was learned that the alleged ‘‘fake’’ Presidential Economic Advisory Council/Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council was allocated N1.302 billion in the 2026 Budget of the Federal Government.

In a statement on Wednesday, Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesperson, said the charges were filed by the Police on November 27, 2025, against Adeyemi and two accomplices at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Onanuga said Adeyemi is expected to appear in court on July 27, 2026.

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NDC calls for Gbajabiamila sack over fake agency scandal

The NDC has referenced Adeyemi’s allegations that he paid N600 million to secure his appointment, with N400 million allegedly paid through intermediaries linked to the Chief of Staff while an outstanding balance of N200 million reportedly contributed to the current dispute over the agency’s status.

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for the immediate removal of the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila, over allegations linking him to the purported Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC) agency involving one Prince Mathew Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claims to be the Director-General of the agency .

In a statement signed on Friday by NDC National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, the party urged President Tinubu to suspend the Chief of Staff to allow for what it described as a transparent and unbiased investigation into the allegations.

The NDC’s demand is sequel to claims made by Adeyemi, who identified himself as the Director-General of the alleged PFIPC, an agency the Presidency has maintained does not exist.

According to the party, the allegations raise serious concerns over transparency and accountability within the current administration. It questioned how the purported agency allegedly secured budgetary allocations in the 2026 Appropriation Act and reportedly operated domiciliary, Pounds Sterling and Treasury Single Account (TSA) accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria despite being disowned by the Presidency.

The party also queried claims that the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation allegedly approved 314 staff positions for the agency, asking how such approvals could have been granted if the organisation was not officially recognised.

The NDC has referenced Adeyemi’s allegations that he paid N600 million to secure his appointment, with N400 million allegedly paid through intermediaries linked to the Chief of Staff while an outstanding balance of N200 million reportedly contributed to the current dispute over the agency’s status.

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US ends military operations in Nigeria, withdraws 200 soldiers

Anderson emphasised that the specific mission that required the deployment of US troops has been completed, prompting the withdrawal of most personnel.

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Photo: General Dagvin R.M. Anderson

The United States has withdrawn the majority of its military personnel deployed to Nigeria for a joint counterterrorism mission in the Lake Chad Basin, while maintaining intelligence sharing and other security cooperation with Nigerian authorities.

The United States deployed about 200 military personnel to Nigeria in February 2026 to assist with intelligence, surveillance and counterterrorism operations in the Lake Chad Basin as both countries expanded cooperation against ISIS and other extremist groups operating in the region.

Commander of US Air Forces in Africa, General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, announced the development during a virtual press briefing on the outcome of the African Chiefs of Defence Conference 2026.

He said the partnership between Washington and Abuja remained active, particularly in intelligence operations targeting the Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh).

Anderson emphasised that the specific mission that required the deployment of US troops has been completed, prompting the withdrawal of most personnel.

However, he noted that the United States would continue providing intelligence assistance at the request of the Nigerian government.

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