Tinubu drops charges against minors

 Tinubu drops charges against the underaged Nigerians who participated in the nationwide protests in August.  The arraignment of the minors generated so much outrage last week.

The Federal Government has dropped the treason charges against minors who participated in the August #EndBadGovernance protest. The decision comes after public outcry and  and intervention from President Bola Tinubu.

On Tuesday, the AGF, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, officially took over the case from the police. He then informed the Federal High Court in Abuja of his decision to discontinue the charges against the minors. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the Federation, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, filed and application. He argued that the charges against the teenagers should be dropped based on constitutional provisions.

The DPP’s application also called for the proceedings to be held without the minors in the courtroom, in accordance with child protection laws under the Child Rights Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).

Human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, and other defense attorneys in the case supported the move, making the legal proceedings smooth. Consequently, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court struck out the charges against the minors, officially ending the legal battle.

Background to the case

The minors, aged between 14 and 17, were among 76 individuals arrested by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for taking part in the #EndBadGovernance protest. The demonstration demanded better governance and accountability. The protest gained significant support nationwide. It saw young Nigerians calling for an end to corruption, unemployment, and mismanagement by the government.

However, the minors’ trial took a disturbing turn when four of them collapsed before their arraignment. The teenagers appeared ill, malnourished, and physically drained, leading to their removal from the charge sheet. Following the incident, police proceeded with the trial of the other accused, who were granted bail under strict conditions.

Presidential intervention

The public outcry following the minors’ collapse and the harsh treatment led President Bola Tinubu to intervene. Within 24 hours of the AGF’s directive to drop the charges, President Tinubu ordered the immediate release of the minors. He also called for an investigation into the circumstances surrounding their arrest and detention.

The President’s intervention signalled the government’s shift toward a more conciliatory approach.  General outcry from the citizens continue to draw significant attention from the international community and human rights groups.

What’s next after Tinubu drops charges?

While the legal issues surrounding the minors have been resolved, the broader challenges of corruption, unemployment, and poor governance. For many Nigerians, especially the youth, the #EndBadGovernance protest was just the beginning of a larger movement demanding accountability and transparency from the leadership. However, the FG’s decision to drop charges against minors is a sign that the government is listening to public demands.