The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Tuesday struck out treason charges filed against the minors who have been detained regarding the end bad governance protest. since August.
Penpushing reports the trial judge, Justice Obiora Egwatu, struck out the case after the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), M.D. Abubakar, announced the withdrawal of the case in response to public outrage.
The defence lawyers did not oppose the application, and in exercise of the Attorney-General of the Federation’s power under section 174 of the Nigerian constitution Abubakar, representing the Attorney-General of the Federation, first announced the taking over of the case from the police before applying for its withdrawal on Tuesday.
Penpushing further reports that the judge granting the request, struck out the case in two batches, freeing a total of 119 defendants believed to be minors, who were present in court on Tuesday, while it is on records that the Child Rights Act prohibits the prosecution of less-than-18-year-old minors in the regular courts.
The starved underage defendants, were part of 176 defendants prepared for trial on charges of treason, terrorism and arson, it is recalled were on November 2,2024 brought to court from detention for arraignment
Penpushing also reports that in the course of the proceedings four of the defendants, including two minors, collapsed triggering local and international condemnation, a culmination of the public outrage that followed the illegal attempt by the police to prosecute the minors
The Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi In response to public outrage regarding the mistreatment of the minors had demanded the police to surrender the case file and announced a plan to secure an earlier hearing date in court.
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