BREAKING: FG drops treason charges against minors in #EndBadGovernance protest

The Federal Government has officially withdrawn treason charges against minors detained after participating in the recent #EndBadGovernance protest across Nigeria.

In a significant development, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, took control of the case file on Tuesday and informed the Federal High Court in Abuja of the decision to discontinue proceedings against the young protesters.

The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, cited provisions from both the 1999 Constitution and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) of 2015 as legal grounds for the withdrawal.

Abubakar also requested that the minors not be required to appear in court, in compliance with Section 266(b) of the ACJA, 2015, and the Child Rights Act.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, and other defense attorneys supported the application, leading trial Justice Obiora Egwuatu to strike out the charges.

This decision comes after a distressing scene last week, when four minors among 76 individuals charged by the Nigerian Police Force collapsed in court due to apparent malnourishment.

Following public outcry, the Attorney-General directed a review of the case, and President Bola Tinubu later ordered the immediate dismissal of charges and a thorough investigation into the minors’ detention.

This outcome marks a significant response to public concerns over the treatment of young detainees, as well as broader criticisms regarding the handling of protests in Nigeria.

More to come.