Tinubu orders immediate release of minors arrested during protests
In response to the public outcry over the arrest and arraignment of minors during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all detained children.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced to State House correspondents on Monday that President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of minors detained during the #EndBadGovernance protests.
This directive comes after the President swore in seven newly appointed ministers cleared by the Senate.
The President’s order for the minors’ release is made without prejudice to any ongoing legal processes. He also instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to ensure the welfare of the minors and facilitate their reunion with their parents or guardians across the country.
Additionally, President Tinubu directed the establishment of a committee, led by the humanitarian affairs ministry, to address all issues related to the arrest, detention, treatment, and eventual release of the minors.
On Friday, November 1, 2024, there was widespread outrage among Nigerians when 72 minors were brought before a Federal High Court in Abuja for their involvement in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
The minors faced serious charges, including treason, after being arrested in states such as Kaduna, Abuja, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano. Some appeared gaunt and malnourished, with a few collapsing in court.
Presiding Judge Obiora Egwuatu granted bail of ₦10 million to the 72 minors. Many Nigerians, including former presidential candidates, civil society organizations, human rights activists, and regional socio-political groups, expressed their anger upon learning that these minors had been detained for over eight weeks following the protests.
Amid widespread condemnation of the government’s actions, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi swiftly issued a statement indicating that his office would review the matter to make an informed decision.
He promptly instructed the police to transfer the case file to his office and hand it over to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF).
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at NeptunePrime.
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