President Bola Tinubu on Monday ordered the immediate release of all minors facing prosecution over their alleged participation in the #EndBadGovernance protests.
“The president has ordered the immediate release of all the minors who have been arrested by the Nigeria Police without prejudice to whatever legal processes they are undergoing. He has directed that they be released immediately,” minister of information and national orientation, Mohammed Idris, told State House correspondents following a meeting with the president.
“Secondly, the president has also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately attend to the welfare of these minors, and to ensure their smooth reunion with their parents or guardians wherever they are in the country.
“Thirdly, the president has directed that an administrative committee will be set up immediately, to be headed by the minister of humanitarian affairs, to examine all issues surrounding the arrest, detention, treatment, and finally, the release of these young minors.
“Fourthly, the president has also directed that all law enforcement agents involved in the arrest and the legal processes will be investigated, and if any infractions are found to have been committed by any official of Government, whether from a law enforcement agency or another appropriate authority, disciplinary action will be taken against him or her.”
The president’s action followed uproar which greeted the arraignment of 76 people, including 30 children, at the Federal High Court in Abuja last Friday.
They were charged with 10 felony counts including treason, destruction of property, public disturbance and mutiny.
