The Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, says no law in Nigeria forbids the prosecution of minors.
Fagbemi made the assertion at the commissioning of the Law Corridor’s new office complex and the presentation of a book on the modern legal system.
He said the minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protest were rightly arraigned before the Abuja Federal High Court.
Recall that the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest lasted from August 1-10. Some protesters were arrested and arraigned in different parts of the country.
Scores of the suspects arraigned in Abuja were minors — eliciting outrage among Nigerians.
President Bola Tinubu on Monday directed the AGF to withdraw the charges against the minors, after which a Federal High Court in Abuja struck out the suit against 119 persons who allegedly participated in the protest.
The minors were released and hosted by Vice-President Kashim Shettima at the State House.
The AGF, while addressing criticisms that trailed the arraignment, said, “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.
“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.
“So, whatever the situation, the President has closed the chapter by his decision to have these young men released.”
