Following widespread outrage over the arrest and prosecution of minors involved in #EndBadGovernance protests in August, President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all detained youths.
The directive, announced by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, came shortly after President Tinubu swore in seven newly appointed ministers at the State House on Monday.
According to Idris, the President instructed that the minors be released promptly. Tinubu further directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to prioritize the welfare of the minors and assist in their safe reunification with families and guardians nationwide.
The President also mandated the establishment of a committee, led by the humanitarian affairs ministry, to review all aspects of the minors’ arrest, detention, treatment, and release to ensure comprehensive accountability and support.
Public anger surged on Friday, November 1, 2024, when police arraigned 72 minors in a Federal High Court in Abuja, charging them with treason and other offenses for participating in protests across several states, including Kaduna, Abuja, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano. Some detainees appeared undernourished, with reports of fainting incidents in court.
Presiding Judge Obiora Egwuatu subsequently granted N10 million bail for each of the 72 minors.
The arrests prompted sharp criticism from former presidential candidates, civil society organizations, and human rights advocates, who condemned the prolonged detention of minors as a heavy-handed response to peaceful demonstrations. Many noted that the youths had been held for over eight weeks amid ongoing protests against rising hunger and living costs.
In response to the outcry, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi issued a statement noting his office’s commitment to reviewing the case. He directed the police to transfer all case files to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) for further review.
