Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate release of all the children who were arrested and charged with treason after they allegedly protested against hunger and hardship during the #EndBadGovernance protest.
He also directed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to see the welfare of the minors, the Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris told State House correspondents in Abuja on Monday.
President Tinubu’s order came after massive national outrage greeted the arraignment of the minors in open court after spending 93 days in prisons that were not meant for minors.
Justice Obiora Egwuato had remanded them in prison following their arraignment after he admitted them to bail in the sum of N10million each, among other stringent conditions.
Nigerians were left speechless.
Embarking on damage control, the President, according to the minister, said that all the law enforcement agents involved in the arrest, detention and prosecution of the minors be investigated, and anyone found culpable, would face appropriate disciplinary action.
Recall that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) had on Sunday given the president a 48-hour ultimatum to release the children.
SERAP asked the President to “use his leadership position and good offices” to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to secure the “immediate and unconditional release of all #EndBadGovernance protesters, including 32 hungry and malnourished children.”
According to SERAP, these children and other protesters are detained “solely for the peaceful exercise of their human rights.”
The rights group also called for a prompt investigation into the circumstances surrounding these human rights violations, demanding that those responsible be identified, held accountable, and justice provided to the victims.
Several other civil organizations have also condemned the treason charges filed by the Nigeria Police Force against children.
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