The attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has asked the police to present his office the case file of all protesters arraigned over the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest.
On Friday, there was turmoil at a federal high court in Abuja after some minors, who were among 76 protesters charged to court, fainted whilst waiting to be arraigned.
The court, however, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N10 million each, while the prosecutor asked the judge to expunge the names of those who collapsed from the charge.
Via a statement made available on Friday, Fagbemi said he would look into the incident so he can make an informed decision.
“It has just come to my notice that the police have arraigned those arrested in connection with the endbad governance violent protest in court for various offences including treason,” the statement reads.
“There are some issues my office will need to look into regarding the matter to enable me to take an informed decision.
“I am aware that the court has remanded the defendants in detention centres and adjourned the case to January.
“It is not within my power to vary the order of the court remanding the defendants in detention centres and adjourning the case to January.
“I have, however, directed the Nigeria Police to transfer the casefile to my office and hand over same to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) tomorrow, Saturday 2nd November 2024.
“I have further directed the DPPF to immediately put machinery in motion for consideration of the court to bring the adjournment date forward (an earlier date).”
The arraignment of minors has sparked high condemnation from within and outside Nigeria.
Amnesty International labelled the detainment of the minors as unlawful, saying that the action indicates the government’s disregard for the law.
Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar; Peter Obi, the former governor of Anambra; and Shehu Sani, a former senator, have equally condemned the minors’ arraignment.