Nigeria has charged 76 people including 30 minors with treason after they took part in anti-government protests last August.
Amnesty International said at least 20 people died in clashes with authorities during the protests over economic reforms the government was planning to implement in a context marked by high inflation and unemployment.
The prosecution of minors triggered condemnations in the country.
“These children, who are obviously malnourished and need medical attention have been subjected to a cruel experience when they should be in school,” Kwankwaso, the former defense minister and former governor of the country’s northern Kano state, wrote on X.
The defendants were charged with offenses including treason, destruction of property, public disturbance and mutiny, according to the charge sheet.