The Federal Government has withdrawn the treason charge it entered against minors, who participated in the recent #EndBadGovernance protest that was held across the country.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, officially took over the case file on Tuesday and notified the Federal High Court in Abuja of the Federal Government’s decision to discontinue the case against the protesters.
The application for discontinuance was moved by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, DPPF, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, according to the provisions of sections 174(1), (b) and (c) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015.
He also cited Section 266(b) of the ACJA, 2015, and Section 1 of the Childs’ Rights Act and applied that the proceeding be conducted in the absence of the minors.
Mr. Femi Fanala, SAN, a senior human rights lawyer, and other defence lawyers did not oppose the applications.
Consequently, trial Justice Obiora Egwuatu struck out the charge.
It will be recalled that the minors, who were between the ages of 14 and 17, we’re charged with treason for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August and been detained by the police since the three months.
However, four of the 76 minors had slumped before they could be arraigned before the court last Friday thereby setting off a volcano of criticism against the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Consequently, the AGF, ordered police to transfer the case file to his office for a review.
Additionally, President Tinubu ordered the immediate withdrawal of the charge as well an in-depth investigation into what led to the arrest and detention of the minors.