A 14-year-old boy has remained in detention at Kirikiri Medium Security Custodial Centre since 2023 after he was arrested during a police raid, even though a police officer reportedly testified that the teenager committed no offense.
According to reports, the boy was picked up alongside several others during the operation, but while others were eventually released, he remained in custody. Since then, his case has faced repeated court adjournments, leaving him detained for nearly two years without conviction.
The family reportedly cannot afford the ₦150,000 bail requirement set by the court, a situation that has kept the teenager behind bars as he approaches his 17th birthday.
The case has sparked outrage online, with many Nigerians questioning the justice system, prolonged detention of minors, and the impact of poverty on access to justice. Critics argue that a child should not remain incarcerated for years over a case in which authorities allegedly admitted there was no offense committed.
Human rights advocates have also renewed calls for reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system, especially concerning minors awaiting trial and families unable to meet bail conditions.
