Attorney General of the Federation Intervenes In Case of Detained Minors in #EndHunger Protesters Prosecution Amid Public Outcry
By: Abdulwasiu Akintunde
Following the public outrage that greeted the arraignment of 114 EndBad Governance protesters who were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi is to take over the case with immediate effect.
OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News recalls that videos from the court showing that majority of the defendants were minors, as reportedly admitted by the presiding judge, Obiora Egwuatu surfaced online on Friday.
The court videos showed the children who appeared in court, looking frail and malnourished while several reportedly fainted, highlighting concerns about their three-month detention without adequate care.
Many Netizens as well as other stakeholders in the Nigerian project, condemning the inhumane treatment of the minors, some of whom were lying on the floor of the court languishing in the pangs of hunger.
However, OTN News gathered from a statement issued on Friday night, by the Attorney General of the Federation, that the cases will be looked into by the office of the AGF.
The statement, sighted by OTN News reads, “It has just come to my notice that the police have arraigned those arrested in connection with the #endbad governance violent protest in court for various offences including treason.
“There are some issues my office will need to look into regarding the matter to enable me take an informed decision
“I am aware that the court has remanded the defendants in detention centres and adjourned the case to January.
“It is not within my power to vary the order of the court remanding the defendants in detention centres and adjourning the case to January. I have, however, directed the Nigeria Police to transfer the casefile to my office and hand over same to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) tomorrow, Saturday 2nd November, 2024.
I have further directed the DPPF to immediately put machinery in motion for consideration of the court to bring the adjournment date forward (an earlier date)”.
The incident has sparked widespread social media uproar, with many criticizing the Presidency and the judiciary for allowing suchtreatment of minors.
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