President Bola Tinubu has initiated an investigation into the prosecution of minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests
The President on Monday instructed the Attorney-General of the Federation to facilitate the immediate release of minors detained by the Nigeria Police last August, ensuring that this action does not interfere with any ongoing legal proceedings.
This directive follows the charging of 76 individuals, including 30 minors, with treason and incitement of a military coup after they were observed waving Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernance protests, which were driven by public dissatisfaction with economic hardship.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during an emergency briefing for State House correspondents at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
Idris noted that President Tinubu, after reviewing the circumstances of the cases, emphasised the necessity of balancing legal processes with humanitarian considerations.
He added that the President has directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to prioritise the immediate welfare of the minors, ensuring that they are reunited with their parents or guardians, regardless of their location within the country.
The President has directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately see to the welfare of those minors and also take part to ensure a smooth reunion with their parents or guardians wherever they are in the country.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris
The President also directed that a committee 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, treatment, and finally, the release of these minors.
Finally, the President directed that all the law enforcement agents involved in the arrest and the legal processes will be investigated, and if there are any infractions found to have been committed by any official of Government, be it a law enforcement agent, or whoever that person may be, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against him or her.
BACKGROUND STORY
In August, Nigeria experienced widespread protests under the #EndBadGovernance movement, fueled by public frustration over economic challenges and governance issues.
These demonstrations escalated, leading to the arrest of 76 individuals, including 30 minors aged between 14 and 17, who were charged with serious offenses such as treason and incitement of a military coup.
The detainees, who have been held for three months, were arrested in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) as well as in Kaduna, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states.
They were arraigned by the Inspector General of Police on ten counts, including treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, and inciting mutiny by calling for military intervention against President Tinubu’s government.
During their arraignment at the Federal High Court in Abuja, at least four minors collapsed, triggering widespread outrage and condemnation from civil society organizations and human rights advocates.
