Fagbemi Considering Dropping Terror Charges Against Detained Minors

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The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), is said ti be considering withdrawing the terror charges against the minors.

Indeed, the Nigeria Police had arraigned the 76 Endbadgovernance protesters for treason in Abuja, attracting reactions from Nigerians nationwide.

The minors were arraigned and later granted N10 million bail each, while the matter was adjourned till January 2025.

However, the Atorney-General of the Federation on Friday demanded for the transfer the casefile of the 76 minors to his office.

A statement, on Friday, from the AGF’s office, said “the case would be taken over by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) under the Office of AGF from today, Saturday, 2nd November, 2024.”

According to the minister, the DPPF will commence the process for the consideration of the court to bring the adjournment date forward than the January next date.

Fagbemi said his move on the matter was necessary to make him make an informed decision.

He said, “It has just come to my notice that the police have arraigned those arrested in connection with the Endbadgovernance 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 to 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 the 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).”

Newstide247.com had earlier reported that there was a mild drama at a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, as four children, among the 76 defendants, billed for arraignment over their involvement in the August #EndBadGovernance protest held across the country, collapsed during their trial.

The protest, which began on Aug. 1 to demand for good governance, ended on Aug. 10.

The Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had, earlier charged 11 of the protesters before Justice Emeka Nwite of a sister court on alleged treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit felony and inciting mutiny, among others, which are punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.

The protesters were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Gombe over the 10-day protest which resulted in violence and killings in parts of the country.

The development attracted widespread condemnations from Nigerians.

Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, condemned the arraignment, noting that the minors are not spared from Tinubu government’s hardship.

Also, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, and Amnesty International Nigeria asked Tinubu’s government and the court to release all the 76 arraigned minors.

This is against the backlash the Federal Government has received over the arraignment of the 76 minors on terrorism charges.

Indeed, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, who believed that most of the minors are from his stated, vowed that his administration will take all necessary measures to bring back the arraigned minors.

Also, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 general election and leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, is displeased over the bail condition imposed on the protesting minors.

The arrested minors, who were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday, were said to be from Abuja, Kaduna, Gombe, Plateau, Katsina, and Kano states.

When the protesters were arraigned, some minors collapsed and were rushed out during proceedings.

The court later granted N10 million bail to each of the 72 defendants.