Following the uproar that greeted the arraignment of minors who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest, and their subsequent arraignment for treason, President Tinubu has ordered the release of the children. He also ordered the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to follow up with the release of other suspects that were charged to court for flying the Russian flag.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, announced this to State House correspondents at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Idris said, “The President has ordered the immediate release of all the minors who have been arrested by the Nigeria Police without prejudice to whatever legal processes they are undergoing. He has directed that they be released immediately.
“Secondly, the President has also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately attend to the welfare of these minors, and to ensure their smooth reunion with their parents or guardians wherever they are in the country.”
“Thirdly, the President has directed that an administrative committee will be set up immediately, to be headed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, to examine all issues surrounding the arrest, detention, treatment, and finally, the release of these young minors.”
“Fourthly, the President has also directed that all law enforcement agents involved in the arrest and the legal processes will be investigated, and if any infractions are found to have been committed by any official of Government, whether from a law enforcement agency or another appropriate authority, disciplinary action will be taken against him or her.”
Muyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), said individuals above seven years old can be charged to court.
He said, “Those exempt from criminal liability under the law are those below seven. Once you are above seven, you can be charged to court. The only consideration is the specific procedures required. None of them is younger than seven. The youngest is around 13.”
Counsel to the Federal Government, Rimazonte Ezekiel, had refuted claims that some of the suspects arraigned on Friday over the August 2024 #EndBadGovernance protests are minors.