AGF Defends Trial of Minors, Cites Compassionate Release
The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, has defended the decision to charge minors involved in the recent EndBadGovernance protests with treason, asserting that no law prohibits the prosecution of minors in Nigeria.
Fagbemi’s statement comes after President Bola Tinubu’s compassionate decision to terminate the case against the teenagers. Speaking at the commissioning of a new office complex by the Abuja-based Law Corridor on Thursday, Fagbemi clarified the legal position regarding the prosecution of minors.
He explained, “No law in this country says a minor cannot be tried… The study of the law and the constitution leaves you no other conclusion than that the federal high court has jurisdiction in matters bordering on treason and related issues.”
Fagbemi noted that while there was no legal barrier to the trial of minors, the decision to withdraw the charges against the young defendants was made on humanitarian grounds by President Tinubu. “The president has closed the chapter by his decision to have these young men released. The president was very compassionate; he is a father and a grandfather,” he said.
The AGF further elaborated on the president’s decision, stating, “If you look at the facts in the possession of the security agency, you would marvel. But the president said, despite all this, ‘I have children and grandchildren,’ and that motivated his passion to release them.”
The case involves 119 individuals, including 32 minors, who were arrested during the nationwide protests between August 1 and 10, 2024. The Federal High Court in Abuja struck out the treason charges last Tuesday after the AGF, acting on the president’s instructions, withdrew the charges initially brought by the Nigeria Police Force.
In the first charge (FHC/CR/503/2024), 32 minors were named defendants, while a second charge (FHC/CR/527/2024) involved five minors. Notably, four minors, aged between 14 and 17, collapsed in court before the charges could be read.
Fagbemi also addressed the importance of collaboration in the legal profession. He encouraged seasoned practitioners to partner with younger lawyers, noting that such partnerships help build capacity, foster resilience, and drive innovation in the legal field.
“Collaboration enhances good relationships, which is a cornerstone of the law profession, as clients seek not expertise but a team that understands their needs,” Fagbemi added.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi. FCMB Launches N30 Million Clean Energy Loans for Homes, SMEs
