Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, says no law in Nigeria criminalises the prosecution of minors.
Fagbemi spoke at the commissioning of the Law Corridor’s new
office complex and the presentation of a book on the modern legal system.
The AGF said the minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance
protest were rightly arraigned before the Abuja federal high court.
The nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest lasted from August
1-10. Some protesters were arrested and arraigned in different parts of the
country.
A handful of the suspects arraigned in Abuja were minors —
eliciting outrage from across the country.
On Monday, the president directed the AGF to withdraw the
charges against the minors.
On Tuesday, 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.
Addressing criticisms that trailed the arraignment, the AGF
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,” 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.”
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