President Bola Tinubu has directed that the minors who joined the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest and arrested by the Nigerian Police over accusations of trying to overthrow his government be set free.
This was contained in a briefing with State House correspondents on Monday, Mohammed Idris, minister of information, said the president issued the directive to Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation.
“I recall that I had a short briefing with Mr President early this evening, and he has directed the immediate release of all the minors that have been arrested by the Nigerian police, without prejudice to whatever legal processes,” Idris said.
“There are all minors. The president has directed that all of them be released immediately.”
The minors were arraigned at the Magistrate Court in Abuja on Friday and were granted N10 million bail each by Justice Obiora Egwuatu. Five of them who slumped inside the court were granted temporary bail.
Police Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated on Arise TV, following backlash from Nigerians regarding the arrest of minors, that only children below 7 years old cannot be legally arrested for crimes.
“I don’t understand the use of the word “minor.” You can be charged to court once you are older than 7 years old. None of the children in court are less than 7, the youngest is 13. They were leveraged in the #EndBadGovernance protest.”
