• Release of Detained Minors: President Bola Tinubu ordered the release of 27 minors detained for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests, which took place across Nigeria in August 2024 .
• Public Outcry and Criticism: The decision came after significant public outcry and criticism from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, due to reports that some detained minors had fainted and were malnourished .
• Treason Charges Dropped: The Federal High Court in Abuja struck out treason charges against 119 minors detained since August in connection with the protests .
• Handover Ceremony: Vice President Kashim Shettima presided over an elaborate handover ceremony in Abuja, formally releasing the detained minors to their respective state governors .
• Northern Senators’ Commendation: The Northern Senators Forum commended President Tinubu’s decision to release the minors, praising his leadership in addressing the critical issue .
The Federal Government has dropped the treason charges against minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests across Nigeria. This decision comes after the Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, took over the case file and notified the Federal High Court in Abuja of the government’s intention to discontinue the case .
The charges were withdrawn following public outcry over the arraignment of four minors, aged 14-17, who appeared malnourished and collapsed in court. The police initially charged 76 individuals, including the minors, with treason for participating in the protests .
President Bola Tinubu ordered the immediate release of the detained minors and an investigation into their arrest and treatment. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has also launched an investigation into the treatment of minors in police detention facilities .
Key Developments:
• Charges Dropped: The Federal Government withdraws treason charges against minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests.
• Investigation Ordered: President Bola Tinubu orders an in-depth investigation into the arrest and detention of the minors.
• Police Investigation: The Inspector-General of Police launches an investigation into the treatment of minors in police detention facilities.
• Release of Minors: The detained minors are released following public outcry and presidential intervention.
