Tinubu Orders Release of Minors Arrested for Hunger Protests.

President Bola Tinubu has ordered the immediate release of all inmates in reaction to the indignation caused by the detention and arraignment of juveniles during the #EndBadGovernance protests staged across the country in August.

Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, told State House media on Monday that the President had sworn in seven newly appointed ministers who had been cleared by the Senate.

According to the ministry, the President ordered the youngsters’ immediate release, regardless of any existing legal processes.

The President further directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to swiftly monitor the well-being of these youngsters and assist in arranging their seamless reunification with their parents or guardians, regardless of their location within the country.

Tinubu also directed the humanitarian affairs ministry to organise a commission to investigate the youngsters’ arrest, imprisonment, treatment, and eventual release.

On Friday, November 1, 2024, Nigerians were outraged and horrified when the police took 72 juveniles before a Federal High Court in Abuja for participating in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.

The defendants, who are accused of treason, were arrested in Kaduna, Abuja, Gombe, Jos, Katsina, and Kano states. Some of the accused appeared emaciated and malnourished, forcing them to fall in court.

Obiora Egwuatu, the presiding judge, granted 72 arraigned kids bail of N10 million.

Many Nigerians, including previous presidential contenders, civil society organisations, human rights campaigners, and regional sociopolitical groupings, were outraged by the youngsters’ imprisonment for more than eight weeks following widespread rallies against hunger and rising living costs.

In the midst of widespread disapproval of the government’s move, Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), issued a rushed statement stating that his office would need to investigate the situation so that I could make an educated conclusion.

Fagbemi quickly asked the police to transfer the case file to his office and hand it over to the Federation’s Director of Public Prosecution (DPPF).