NIGERIA: Federal High Court Strikes Out Treason Charges Against #Endbadgovernance Protesters

By Utebor Paul, Nigeria

Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, dismissed the treason charges filed against #Endbadgovernance protesters by the Inspector General of Police.

Recall that the Nigerian Police Force charged some minors to court for treason due to their participation in the Endbadgovenance protest

The charges were withdrawn by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, acting on behalf of the Federal Government.

During the court proceedings, M.D. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), representing the Attorney General announced the AGF’s decision to assume control of the case under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution. Justice Egwuatu approved this request, after which Fagbemi, SAN, invoked the same constitutional section to discontinue the prosecution of the 150 protesters.

The move faced no opposition from defence lawyers present, leading Justice Egwuatu to formally strike out the charges and order the immediate release of the protesters from prison remand.

Though the accused persons were not in court, the judge’s ruling granted them freedom from the charges.

This action followed a directive from President Bola Tinubu, issued on Monday, urging the Attorney General to terminate the charges against the protesters.

The President also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to ensure the safe delivery of all the minors to their parents.