The Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed the case against individuals charged in connection with the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. Justice Obiora Egwuatu struck out the suit after an application from M. D. Abubakar, counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), to take over and discontinue the proceedings.
Representing the AGF, Lateef Fagbemi and Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar, invoked Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, transferring authority over the case from the Inspector General of Police. After Justice Egwuatu granted this transfer, the AGF then moved to dismiss the charges against the 119 defendants under the same constitutional provision.
With no objections from the defendants’ legal representatives, Justice Egwuatu approved the AGF’s request, leading to the dismissal of charges and ordering the immediate release of all accused individuals from custody, despite their absence in court.
President Bola Tinubu had previously instructed the AGF to drop charges against the defendants, many of whom are minors, in recognition of legal prohibitions against trying juveniles in such cases.