Tinubu Orders Investigation into Prosecution of Minors from #EndBadGovernance Protests
Tinubu Orders Investigation into Prosecution of Minors from #EndBadGovernance Protestss brought against the young protesters, who were detained during the 10-day demonstrations against Nigeria’s socio-political conditions.
The announcement was made by Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, who revealed that Tinubu has tasked the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to lead the probe. In addition, Tinubu has directed the immediate release of all minors arraigned due to their involvement in the protests, some of whom faced charges of treason.
Idris further explained, “The president has directed that a committee be established immediately, headed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, to address all issues related to the arrest, detention, treatment, and subsequent release of these young individuals.”
As part of the mandate, Tinubu has instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to ensure that these minors are properly rehabilitated and reunited with their parents or guardians, regardless of their location in the country.
“The president has also ordered a thorough investigation into the conduct of all law enforcement officials involved in these arrests and legal actions,” Idris said. “Should any official be found guilty of infractions, they will face appropriate disciplinary measures.”
The #EndBadGovernance protests, which erupted in August across various Nigerian states, saw citizens rallying against challenging national conditions. The protests occasionally turned violent, leading to looting and the destruction of public and private property. In some northern states, demonstrators were seen waving Russian flags, which intensified scrutiny from authorities.
The recent prosecution of 76 protestors, many of them malnourished minors, has ignited public outcry, particularly after four minors reportedly collapsed in court. Social media campaigns have since surged, demanding justice and the release of the children. In response, the Attorney-General has requested case files from the police to review the charges brought against the minors. Federal Government Revokes Another Julius Berger Contract
