President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all minors who were arrested and charged in connection with the #EndBadGovernance protests held across the country in August. This directive was announced by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, following the swearing-in of seven new ministers by the President. The release of the minors is not to interfere with any ongoing legal processes. Additionally, the President has instructed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to ensure the welfare and reunification of the minors with their families. A committee, led by the humanitarian affairs ministry, will be established to address all aspects of the arrest, detention, treatment, and eventual release of the minors. In a related development, 72 minors who were brought before a Federal High Court in Abuja on November 1, 2024, for their involvement in the protests were granted bail by the presiding judge, Obiora Egwuatu. The prolonged detention of these minors, who were allegedly charged with treason, sparked widespread outrage and criticism from various groups and individuals. In response to the public outcry, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, announced that his office would review the case before making any decisions, and instructed the police to transfer the case file to his office for further evaluation by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation.
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