President Bola Tinubu has directed the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi to facilitate the immediate release of all the minors arrested for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protest.
He also directed that all the law enforcement agents involved in the arrest, detention, and prosecution of the minors be investigated and anyone found guilty, would face appropriate disciplinary action.
Minister of Information Mohammed Idris disclosed this in a briefing with State House correspondents on Monday, November 4th.
“I recall that I had a short briefing with Mr President early this evening, and he has directed the immediate release of all the minors that have been arrested by the Nigerian police, without prejudice to whatever legal processes”, Mohammed said
In August, some protesters were seen waving Russian flags in some northern states during a 10-day protest against economic hardship and inflation. The rallies later turned violent in some parts of the country.
The federal government charged 76 persons who allegedly took part in the protest, and charged them with treason. Majority of those arraigned were minors who looked malnourished. Four of the minors collapsed in the courtroom on the day.
Parts of the minister’s address reads: “All of you are aware that in the last couple of days, there have been some very deep inquiries and commentaries about the fate or the situation regarding the minors that had been arrested by the Nigerian police and undergoing some legal processes.
“You saw what happened in the courtroom. And as a result of that, Mr. President, because of his very deep commitment to democracy and the rule of law, and without prejudice also to whatever legal processes there are and on the other hand, on the human part of it, he has directed that some announcements be made.”
“The President has also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, to immediately see to the welfare of those minors, and also take part to ensure that there are smooth reunion with their parents or guardians, wherever they are in the country.
“The President has directed that a committee will be set up immediately to be headed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. It is actually an Administrative Committee to look at all issues surrounding the arrest, detention, the treatment, and finally, the release of these young minors.
“Of course, if you look at this issue, there is the legal side of it, but there is also the human angle, the humanitarian side of it. Mr. President has directed that whatever the circumstances are, let the minors be released.
“They can of course, continue whatever processes there are, if indeed there are,as stipulated by our laws, but the minors, the President has directed that all of them be released.”
