Peter Obi has expressed deep concern after viewing a troubling video showing 124 protesters, including minors, in a courtroom as they seek to protect their fundamental rights.

The video, now widely circulated, paints a grim picture of the young people’s conditions—many of whom were visibly weak, malnourished, and struggling to stand, with some even collapsing from lack of nourishment.

This image, Obi says, should alarm the conscience of all Nigerians, urging them to take notice of what he calls a failure of care under federal custody.

The charges against these protesters include allegedly opposing bad governance—a right enshrined in Nigeria’s democratic Constitution.

Obi emphasized the irony that many in power today once advocated for this very right when they were in opposition, calling out injustices and advocating for a better Nigeria.

Now, it seems that constitutional protection is being disregarded, and the price is being paid by some of the country’s most vulnerable.

Obi noted that the footage indicates a neglect of these individuals’ basic needs, pointing to malnutrition and exhaustion as evidence of their poor treatment while in government custody.

The treatment of minors especially, he argues, reflects poorly on the Nigerian system, which has a responsibility to uphold the dignity of every citizen.

In his statement, Obi extended gratitude to the presiding judge for halting the trial proceedings, preventing what he believes could have brought Nigeria even greater global embarrassment.

This intervention, he says, safeguarded Nigeria’s image as a democratic nation.

However, Obi stresses that a temporary halt in proceedings isn’t enough—Nigeria’s judiciary and executive need to work together to ensure justice and humanity prevail.

He has called upon the Attorney General, the Minister of Justice, the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the National Human Rights Commission to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident.

Obi emphasized that such inhumane treatment of minors should not be tolerated in a modern society that is part of a global community valuing human rights and dignity.

He urged these agencies to take the necessary steps to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future, noting that the world is watching Nigeria’s commitment to human rights.