An Abuja teenager, remanded in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, has been released after three days in detention.
Hope Behind Bars, a prison reform non-governmental organisation, shared news of the girl’s release on Saturday. She was granted her freedom in the wee hours of Saturday after perfecting her bail condition.
She was released from the Dutsen Alhaji Divisional Police Station, Abuja, to her mother whose interaction with a court bailiff led to her arrest.
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“At 12:35 am this morning, 17-year-old Deborah was released from the Dutse Alhaji Divisional police station after her bail was perfected,” Hope Behind Bars wrote.
At 12:35am this morning, 17 year old Deborah was released from the Dutse Alhaji Divisional police station after her bail was perfected. She is pictured here with Ms. Dorothy Njemanze, the founder of @dnfoundation, her mother and Samuel Olukade (@olukade) Esq., a legal counsel… https://t.co/hj1SgAJmVh pic.twitter.com/RcbHS3nYIy— HOPE BEHIND BARS AFRICA (Criminal Justice Reforms) (@hopebehindbar) October 19, 2024
The prison reforms organisation said it would press for charges against her unlawful detention and demanded those responsible to be held accountable.
“In spite of her release on bail, the case is far from over. We hereby demand that all relevant authorities take immediate action to rectify the grave injustice that has been done. Those responsible for her earlier wrongful detention should be held accountable for their actions,” the NGO added.
FIJ reported that the teenager was arrested on Wednesday for standing up for her elderly mother against a court bailiff who threw a letter at her. She had only demanded why the court bailiff threw the letter at her mother.
Afterwards, the police showed up at her home and arrested her. Before she was placed behind the counter, Madam Margaret, a police officer, had also assaulted the teen physically.
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When she appeared before a magistrate court, the court had ordered her remand at the Suleja Correctional Centre. However, she was later taken to a juvenile home.
On Friday, FIJ also reported how Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General (IGP) of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), is set to arraign not less than 28 minors in court as #EndBadGovernance protesters.
The 28 minors, who are part of the 76 to appear before Justice Emeka Nwite, have been remanded for nearly 80 days.
The post Abuja Teenage Girl Detained for Defending Mum Out on Bail appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.