The accused had faced charges including treason and inciting a military coup, and had been arraigned in batches of 76 and 43 last Friday. One of the charges carried the death penalty. "The case has been struck out and the 119 protesters have been released," according to Deji Adeyanju, counsel to the protesters.

Information Minister Mohammed Idriss said that President Tinubu had directed the police chief to free the 40 minors remanded in custody after their trials began this month.

The minors were arrested by the police and charged with treasonable offenses of intending to destabilise the country and inciting mutiny following their participation in nationwide End Bad Governance protests this August. Amnesty International said at least 22 people died during the demonstrations in clashes with security forces.

Scenes of young Nigerians fainting while in court over their involvement in widespread anti-government protests have sparked controversy over detention conditions and police violence. Social media was awash with videos showing several youths, likely underage, sitting or lying on the courtroom floor, holding their stomachs while half-faint.

The clips generated backlash from both politicians and civil society.