President Bola Tinubu has issued a directive for the immediate release of all minors who were arrested and are currently facing prosecution in court due to their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protest.
This decision comes with a clear emphasis on ensuring that the rights of these young individuals are respected, while also maintaining adherence to legal protocols.
President Tinubu in a statement of Monday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, also directed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to see the welfare of the minors.
Onanuga Shared this information via his X handle.
The statement read, “President Bola Tinubu has directed the Attorney General of the Federation to do everything possible to ensure the immediate release of minors detained by the Nigeria Police in connection with the recent protests without prejudice to whatever legal processes are ongoing.
“The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs has also been directed to ensure the safe return of all the minors to their families while an investigation has been opened into the circumstances leading to their prolonged detention.”
Recall that the arraignment of the minors and bail conditions caused an outrage last week.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu had on Friday granted bail to approximately 67 minors, setting the bail amount at N10 million each, out of the 76 individuals who were arraigned for their involvement in the End Bad Governance protests that took place in August 2024.
This decision sparked significant public outcry, with many expressing concern over the implications of such high bail amounts for minors, who were simply exercising their right to protest.
Critics argued that the ruling reflects a troubling trend in the judicial handling of cases involving young Nigerians and raises questions about the fairness and accessibility of the legal system.
