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Court Dismisses Suit Against #EndBadGovernance Protesters

Published

Tuesday, November 5, 2024 at 11:51 AM

Written by Brenda Izu

Court Dismisses Suit Against #EndBadGovernance Protesters

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, has dismissed charges against individuals involved in the #Nationwidehardship protest also known as #EndBadGovernance protests.

The ruling came during proceedings on Tuesday, where the court responded to an application submitted by Mohammed D. Abubakar, counsel representing the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), requesting that the case be taken over and ultimately discontinued.

The AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, was represented by Mohammed Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF).

During the proceedings, Abubakar invoked Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the AGF authority to assume control over legal cases initiated by other federal entities.

Acting under this constitutional provision, the AGF’s counsel formally took over the case from the Inspector General of Police.

In his application, Abubakar also moved for the charges against the 119 defendants to be dropped entirely. "We are invoking Section 174 of the Constitution to discontinue this trial," he asserted.

The application met no resistance from the defense lawyers representing the accused individuals, prompting Justice Egwuatu to grant the request.

With the charges subsequently dismissed, the judge ordered the immediate release of the defendants, who were not present in court.

This decision follows a directive issued by President Bola Tinubu, who on Monday instructed the AGF to terminate the prosecution of individuals detained for their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests.

According to reports, a significant number of these detainees are minors, whose prosecution under such circumstances would contravene protections afforded to them under Nigerian law.

In a statement, the AGF’s representative emphasized the government’s stance on safeguarding the rights of young Nigerians, especially where due process and legal protections may have been overlooked.

"The President has taken decisive steps to address this issue and ensure that justice is served fairly," he noted.

Earlier, Pediatricians, under the aegis of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, expressed displeasure over the arraignment of 32 minors, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August.

The child health experts buttressed the urgent need for the implementation of the Child Rights Act, which seeks to protect the dignity and rights of every child in Nigeria.

Recall that about 75 young protesters including 32 minors were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Nigeria Police Force with some fainting before Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

The children, aged 12 to 15, were charged with 10 counts, including terrorism, an attempt to overthrow the government and alleged mutiny about their participation in the nationwide protest.

Edited By: Chinedu Eze

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Court Dismisses Suit Against #EndBadGovernance Protesters

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, has dismissed charges against individuals involved in the #Nationwidehardship protest also known as #EndBadGovernance protests.

The ruling came during proceedings on Tuesday, where the court responded to an application submitted by Mohammed D. Abubakar, counsel representing the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), requesting that the case be taken over and ultimately discontinued.

The AGF, Lateef Fagbemi, was represented by Mohammed Abubakar, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF).

During the proceedings, Abubakar invoked Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the AGF authority to assume control over legal cases initiated by other federal entities.

Acting under this constitutional provision, the AGF’s counsel formally took over the case from the Inspector General of Police.

In his application, Abubakar also moved for the charges against the 119 defendants to be dropped entirely. "We are invoking Section 174 of the Constitution to discontinue this trial," he asserted.

The application met no resistance from the defense lawyers representing the accused individuals, prompting Justice Egwuatu to grant the request.

With the charges subsequently dismissed, the judge ordered the immediate release of the defendants, who were not present in court.

This decision follows a directive issued by President Bola Tinubu, who on Monday instructed the AGF to terminate the prosecution of individuals detained for their alleged involvement in the #EndBadGovernance protests.

According to reports, a significant number of these detainees are minors, whose prosecution under such circumstances would contravene protections afforded to them under Nigerian law.

In a statement, the AGF’s representative emphasized the government’s stance on safeguarding the rights of young Nigerians, especially where due process and legal protections may have been overlooked.

"The President has taken decisive steps to address this issue and ensure that justice is served fairly," he noted.

Earlier, Pediatricians, under the aegis of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, expressed displeasure over the arraignment of 32 minors, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Abuja division of the Federal High Court for participating in the #EndBadGovernance protests in August.

The child health experts buttressed the urgent need for the implementation of the Child Rights Act, which seeks to protect the dignity and rights of every child in Nigeria.

Recall that about 75 young protesters including 32 minors were arraigned before the Federal High Court in Abuja by the Nigeria Police Force with some fainting before Justice Obiora Egwuatu.

The children, aged 12 to 15, were charged with 10 counts, including terrorism, an attempt to overthrow the government and alleged mutiny about their participation in the nationwide protest.

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