A Federal High Court in Abuja has struck out charges against 119 individuals involved in the #EndBadGovernance protests, following the Attorney General of the Federation’s (AGF) intervention.
The presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, approved the discontinuation of the case after AGF Lateef Fagbemi, represented by Director of Public Prosecution Mohammed Abubakar, invoked Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution to take over and withdraw the case from the Inspector General of Police.
Justice Egwuatu granted the AGF’s request, which was unopposed by the defense, and ordered the immediate release of the detained minors, who were absent from the court.
President Bola Tinubu had previously directed the AGF to dismiss the charges, emphasizing the need to release the minors and attend to their welfare.
Tinubu further tasked the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to ensure the minors’ well-being and facilitate their reunion with their families.
Additionally, a committee led by the ministry will investigate the circumstances surrounding their detention and treatment.
The minors, arrested during protests in Kaduna, Abuja, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano, were initially charged with treason and granted bail at N10 million.
Their detention and poor health conditions sparked public outrage, prompting the AGF to review the case.
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