Attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice Lateef Fagbemi has said that no law in Nigeria criminalises the prosecution of minors.
“No law in this country says a minor cannot be tried, and I have also heard suggestions that they should go to a family court,” Fagbemi said on Friday amid uproar caused by the arraignment of minors for treason at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The AGF spoke at the commissioning of the Law Corridor’s new office complex and the presentation of a book on the modern legal system.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday directed the AGF to withdraw the charges against the minors. After their release, Vice President Kashim Shettima hosted them at the State House.
“The study of the law and the constitution leaves you no other conclusion than that the Federal High Court has jurisdiction in matters bordering on treason and related issues,” Fagbemi added.
“So, whatever the situation, the president has closed the chapter by his decision to have these young men released.
“The president was very compassionate; he is a father and a grandfather. If you look at the facts in the possession of the security agency, you would marvel.
“But the president said, despite all this, ‘I have children, grandchildren,’ and that motivated his passion to release them and also enable them in some ways.
“So the credit goes to him for showing compassionate consideration in releasing the young chaps.”
