*Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court, Abuja, strikes out the suit, after an application by the counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation to take over and discontinue the suit against persons, including minors, charged over the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

Following the recent intervention of the Nigerian Government in the matter, a Federal High Court, Tuesday, November 5, 2024, in Abuja, FCT, struck out the suit against persons, including minors, charged over the #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests.

It was gathered Justice Obiora Egwuatu, the trial Judge, Tuesday, struck out the suit, after an application by the counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation, M. D Abubakar, to take over and discontinue the suit.

Lateef Fagbemi, Honourable Minister for Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), was represented by Mohammed Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF).

The AGF had at the proceedings announced the exercise of his power of section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to take over the case from the Inspector General of Police.

The latest development came after the minors were arraigned, last week, before a Federal High Court in Abuja over their participation in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests August this year.

They were accused of treason among other charges.

The minors were arrested in Kaduna, Abuja, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states, according to report.

They were later granted bail of N10 million.

However, during the court session Friday, some of the minors looking malnourished reportedly collapsed in court.

The reported incident prompted outrage nationwide among civil society organisations, human rights advocates, and others.

Immediately after that, Fagbemi said his 鈥渙ffice will need to look into the matter to enable me to take an informed decision鈥�.

He asked the Nigeria Police to transfer the case file to his office and hand over the same to the DPPF.

Therefore, after granting the request by Justice Egwuatu Tuesday, AGF Fagbemi proceeded to request the invocation of the same section of the Constitution to discontinue the trial of the 119 accused persons.

Following no objections to the request from various lawyers representing the accused persons, Justice Egwuatu granted the request and struck out the charges.

Although the accused persons were not in court, the judge ordered their immediate release from prison.

It is recalled President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Monday, November 4 had directed the AGF to terminate the charges against the accused persons, most of who are said to be minors and prohibited by law from facing such trial.

Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Honourable Minister for Information and National Orientation, who also affirmed this development, said President Tinubu had directed the immediate release of the minors without prejudice to whatever ongoing legal processes.

The Nigerian President also asked the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately see to the welfare of the minors.

He equally mandated the Ministry to ensure their smooth reunion with their parents or guardians wherever they are in Nigeria.

This is in addition to asking that a committee be set up and spearheaded by the humanitarian affairs ministry to probe all issues surrounding the arrest, detention, treatment, and finally, the release of the minors.

Kindly Share This Story