President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed that all the minors facing prosecution in court over their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protest last August should immediately be released without prejudice to the law.
President Tinubu also directed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda to see to the welfare of the minors.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris told State House correspondents, in Abuja on Tuesday that the President said all the law enforcement agents involved in the arrest, detention and prosecution of the minors be investigated and anyone found culpable, would face appropriate disciplinary action.
President Tinubu also directed that all minors arraigned over the #EndBadGovernance protest be released immediately.
Idris said that the President issued the directive to the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi.
Last Friday, Fagbemi had directed the Nigeria Police to transfer to his office the casefile of the 72 defendants charged with participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests. They were granted bail of N10 million each by a Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, on Friday.
Fagbemi, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, also directed the police to hand over same to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) by Saturday, 2 November 2024.
Idris said: “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.
“There are all minors. The President has directed that all of them be released immediately”.
