Tinubu Orders Immediate Release of Minors Arrested Over #EndBadGovernance Protests

President Bola Tinubu yesterday directed the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to facilitate the immediate release of all minors facing prosecution in court over alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests without prejudice to the law.

The President’s directive came on a day 19 protesters, including three minors, were arraigned before Justice Aisha Mohammed Ali, at State High Court 10, in Maiduguri, Borno State for their participation in the protest.

76 persons, who were arrested in Kano and Kaduna States and detained for brandishing the Russian flag during the #EndBadGovernance protest, were charged to court for allegedly attempting to overthrow the President.

But last week, 29 minors among those arrested were arraigned in court and their arraignment has attracted condemnation both within and outside the country.

It will be recalled that sharp criticisms had since last weekend, trailed arraignment of the minors by the Police in Abuja, as Northern governors, Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, the presidential candidates of People Democratic Party, PDP, Abubakar Atiku, and Labour Party, Peter Obi, among others, called for immediate release of the minors.

Apparently responding to the calls yesterday, President Tinubu, aside ordering immediate release of the minors, also directed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Nentawe Yilwatda, to see to the welfare of the minors and ensure their smooth reunion with their parents or guardians, wherever they were in the country.

Briefing State House correspondents, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, flanked by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and Special Adviser to the President on Public Communications and Orientation, Sunday Dare, said the President has directed the AGF to immediately ensure release of the minors.

He also directed that all the law enforcement agents involved in the arrest, detention and prosecution of the minors be investigated and that anyone found culpable will face appropriate disciplinary action.

The minister said: “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 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.

“I recall that I had a short briefing with Mr President early this evening (yesterday), and he has directed the immediate release of all the minors arrested by the Police.

“Without prejudice to whatever legal processes there are, the President has directed that all of them be released immediately.

“Second, 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 they are smoothly reunited with their parents or guardians, wherever they are in the country.

“Also, the President has directed that a committee will be set up immediately to be headed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. It is an administrative committee to look at all issues surrounding the arrest, detention, treatment, and finally, the release of these young minors.

“Similarly, the President has directed that all 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 the government, be he a law enforcement agent, or whoever, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against him or her.

“So to recap, the President has directed that these children, these minors, be released immediately. This is, of course, without prejudice to whatever legal processes there are.

“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, the President has directed that all of the minors be released.”