Following widespread criticism and calls from Nigerians for justice, President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of all minors detained in connection with the #EndBadGovernance protests.
This decision was announced by Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, during a press briefing at the State House on Monday.
The President has directed that all minors be released and reunited with their families. A committee has been set up to address the issues surrounding their arrest, detention, and release, stated Minister Idris, who was joined by Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga and Special Adviser on Public Communications Sunday Dare.
Tinubu’s decision follows public backlash over videos of 76 suspects, majorly minors, brought before the Federal High Court in connection with charges stemming from their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests.
The backlash came after videos showing up to six of the minors collapsing from exhaustion—as they awaited arraignment, causing a significant stir and intervention to provide urgent medical aid.
The arraigned individuals, many reportedly as young as 13, face charges including arson, terrorism, and threats to national security.
In addition to the release directive, Tinubu has authorised a special committee to examine the circumstances surrounding these minors’ arrests, detentions, and subsequent release.
The committee will also investigate the actions of law enforcement officers involved, with a mandate to hold accountable any personnel found to have acted unlawfully.
Recall that it was earlier reported that Muyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, defended the arrests, stating that the minors were“criminally liable” and implicated in violent behaviour during protests. He stressed that the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) acted within the boundaries of the law, referencing precedents in other jurisdictions that allow the prosecution of minors under strict procedures.
Once you are more than 7 years old, you can be charged to court … none of them is less than 7 … the fact that you are 13 years old does not mean you can’t be charged to court, he said.
The minors, reportedly arrested in the wake of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, will be released and reunited with their families, regardless of their location within the country.
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