PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all detainees in response to the public outrage following the arrest and arraignment of minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests across various parts of the country in August.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this to State House reporters today after the President swore in seven newly appointed ministers who had been approved by the Senate.
The minister stated that the President instructed the immediate release of the minors without prejudice to any ongoing legal proceedings.
Additionally, the President directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to ensure the welfare of these minors and facilitate their reunification with their parents or guardians wherever they may be in the country.
Tinubu also announced the establishment of a committee, led by the humanitarian affairs ministry, to examine all matters related to the arrests, detention, treatment, and eventual release of the minors.
On Friday, November 1, 2024, there was widespread outrage when the police presented 72 minors at a Federal High Court in Abuja for their involvement in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
The defendants, facing treason charges among others, were arrested in locations such as Kaduna, Abuja, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states. Many appeared malnourished and collapsed in court due to their conditions.
The presiding judge, Obiora Egwuatu, granted bail of N10 million to the 72 minors who had been arraigned.
Many Nigerians, including former presidential candidates, civil society organizations, human rights advocates, and regional socio-political groups, expressed outrage upon learning that the minors had been detained for over eight weeks due to the nationwide protests against hunger and the rising cost of living.
Amid the widespread condemnation of the government’s actions, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi, released a statement indicating that his office would investigate the matter to make an informed decision.
Fagbemi also directed the police to transfer the case file to his office and to provide the same to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF).
