FG hands over freed #EndBadGovernance protesters to Kaduna, Kano governors
The federal government Tuesday officially handed over 119 freed minors arraigned by the police over alleged involvement in the #Endbadgovernance protests in some parts of the country, to both Kano and Kaduna state governments.
Vice President Kashim Shettima handed over the minors to Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano state and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state.
Speaking at the event, the vice president said the minors were released based on the president’s directive.
“The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, instructed the release of the suspects on humanitarian grounds, despite incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of their perpetration and actions; some of which were uploaded by the actors themselves.
“Regarding the evidence against them, the President, as the father of the nation, has decided to give these young men another chance at becoming responsible citizens who will make a positive impact, in a drive for a better Nigeria,” he said.
He said the released minors have a lot to contribute to nation-building in future.
“I would like to admonish you, young men, to not allow yourselves to be used to perpetrate violence and destroy public and private property. Over N300 billion was lost in the protests, consisting mainly of private property and loss of business.
“I will urge you, I will advise you as our children to use the opportunity of the President’s magnanimous gesture in ensuring that you overcome and become responsible citizens who will contribute to the growth of the society,” he said.
The Vice President also urged the governors of Kano and Kaduna states who received the minors to ensure they reintegrate them into the society.
“I will urge our Governors and our elected representatives here cutting across political divides that what binds us together as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria supersedes whatever divides.
“I will call our two Governors and our Representatives into a single cause, and ensure that these subjects are rehabilitated and reintegrated to the fabric of our communities,” he said.
In his remarks, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Professor Nentawe Yilwatda said the ministry swung into action Monday as directed by the president to ensure the release of the suspects.
“We worked with the Ministry of Justice through the Director of Public Prosecution to give us the details of the people that were released to us and we have this data, which we are handing over to the State Governors so that they can track them and ensure that all of them are taken care of,” he said.
He said the minors were checked by physicians who certified that all of them were in good condition of health.
Receiving the minors, the governors appreciated President Tinubu for his show of magnanimity, and assured the Vice President that the minors would go to school or adopt chosen vocations in which they have skills.
Also present at the event were Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation Abubakar Bich, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, that of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Tanko Sununu, and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the North-West Abdullahi Yakasai.
…Court strikes out suit
Earlier, the Federal High Court in Abuja, had struck out the charges brought against the 119 minors on the request of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.
They were arraigned on Friday, November 1, on charges bordering on treasonable felony, intent to destabilise Nigeria, and inciting to mutiny by calling on the military to take over government from President Tinubu, among others.
The defendants, arraigned in two batches at the previous proceeding, comprised a total of 76 protesters including 32 minors, and the second batch a total of 43 protesters.
At the resume of proceedings Tuesday, Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Justice, M. D Abubakar, who appeared for the AGF, told Justice Obiora Egwuatu that the federal government had decided to take over and discontinue the matter.
Citing Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, Abubakar told the court that the AGF, with the exercise of his powers, wished to take over the case from the Inspector General of Police.
He said: “We have an application to take over the matter and to discontinue same under section 174 of the constitution”.
The AGF’s application was not opposed by the defense counsel. Femi Falana (SAN), who said: “We have no objection to the application because it is per the letter and spirit of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act as well as several provisions of the Child Rights Act.
“The AGF has the power to take over the case at any stage and exercise his discretion to discontinue the suit.”
Upon the agreement of the parties involved that the AGF should take over the matter, the court granted the request.
Upon the granting of the request by the court, the AGF cited authorities from the same section of the Constitution to discontinue the trial of the 119 accused persons.
The defense counsel did not oppose this request either, following which the court struck out the charges accordingly.
The arraignment of the minors was greeted by public outrage, following which President Tinubu ordered their release.
