President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of all minors detained in connection with the #EndBadGovernance protest.
This announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, during a press briefing at the State House on Monday.
Idris, joined by Presidential advisers Bayo Onanuga and Sunday Dare, stated that Tinubu ordered Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to expedite the release and reunification of the minors with their families across the country.
A special committee has been established to review the circumstances surrounding the arrests, detentions, and eventual release of these minors.
“The President has instructed that all minors be released and reunited with their families wherever they may be in the country,” Idris said, adding, “A committee will investigate the issues behind their arrests, and any law enforcement officers found culpable will be held accountable.”
The directive follows calls from the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) for the Federal Government to halt the ongoing treason trials of #EndBadGovernance protesters and to release detained minors
. The ACF, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, criticized the trials, describing them as “a show of shame” and denouncing the prosecution of minors as an act of excessive and unnecessary force.
On the same day, Sheikh Ahmed Umar, Youth Leader of the Tijaniyya Islamic Movement in Africa, also urged Tinubu to issue an executive order for the minors’ immediate release.
In an interview in Kaduna, Sheikh Umar condemned the prolonged detention and arraignment of minors on treason charges, describing it as “a bad signal” for the nation.
“It is disheartening to see a 10-year-old facing charges meant for adults,” he said, adding, “We call on President Bola Tinubu to release and compensate these children.”
Sheikh Umar, speaking at the Northern Youth Summit organized by the National Youth Alliance, emphasized the need for youth involvement in governance, noting that greater youth participation could help address national challenges such as security and unemployment.
He called on Nigerian youths to take active roles in shaping the future of the nation.
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Falana Seeks Compensation for Minors Detained over #EndBadGovernance Protest
Following President Bola Tinubu’s directive for the release of minors detained over the #EndBadGovernance protest, human rights lawyer Femi Falana has revealed intentions to seek compensation for the affected minors.
Acting as counsel for the detained protesters, Falana commented on the matter shortly after Tinubu’s directive was made public.
The detained minors are among a group of 76 individuals facing treasonable felony charges before a Federal High Court in Abuja due to their participation in the #EndBadGovernance protests held from August 1 to August 10.
During the latest hearing on Friday, the minors were granted bail with a bond of N10 million each and were subsequently remanded until the fulfillment of the bail terms.
The treatment of the detained minors and their conditions in court have ignited public outrage, with many expressing disapproval and urging their immediate release.
