UPDATED: Tinubu orders release of minors facing prosecution 

President Bola Tinubu on Monday directed the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to facilitate the immediate release of all minors arrested and facing prosecution for their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protest.

President Tinubu also instructed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Nentawe Yilwatda, to ensure the welfare of the minors, without prejudice to any ongoing legal processes.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the State House, Abuja. He was joined by Special Adviser on Public Communications and Orientation, Sunday Dare.

Idris stated that all law enforcement agents involved in the arrest, detention, and prosecution of the minors would be investigated, and anyone found culpable would face appropriate disciplinary action.

Twenty-nine children were arraigned on Friday for participating in a protest against the country’s record cost-of-living crisis. Four of them collapsed in court due to exhaustion before they could enter a plea.

The Guardian reports that a total of 76 protesters were charged with 10 felony counts, including treason, destruction of property, public disturbance, and mutiny, according to the charge sheet. The minors ranged in age from 14 to 17 years old.

Frustration over the cost-of-living crisis has led to several mass protests in recent months. In August, at least 20 people were shot dead, and hundreds more were arrested at a protest demanding better opportunities and jobs for young people.

The death sentence was introduced in Nigeria in the 1970s, but there have been no executions in the country since 2016.

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Addressing the newsmen, Idris said: “All of you are aware that in the last couple of days, there have been inquiries and commentaries about the fate of the minors arrested by the Nigerian police and undergoing legal processes. You also saw what happened in the courtroom.

“As a result of that, Mr. President, because of his deep commitment to democracy and the rule of law, has directed the immediate release of all minors arrested by the Nigerian police, without prejudice to whatever legal processes there are.

“Second, the President has also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately attend to the welfare of these minors and ensure a smooth reunion with their parents or guardians, wherever they are in the country.

“Third, the President has directed that a committee be set up, headed by the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, to look into all issues surrounding the arrest, detention, treatment, and eventual release of these minors.

“Finally, the President has also directed that all law enforcement agents involved in the arrest and legal processes be investigated. If any infractions are found to have been committed by any official of government, whether a law enforcement agent or any other person, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.”

Idris stressed that while there is a legal aspect to the issue, there is also a human and humanitarian angle.

He added that the President directed that the minors be released, with legal processes continuing as required by law.