Abuja Court Frees Minors Arrested During Hunger Protest
A Federal High Court in Abuja has stopped further proceedings in the treason charges brought against about 114 #Endbadgovernance protesters, including some minors, by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Justice Obiora Egwuatu struck out the charges, marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/503/2024 and FHC/ABJ/CR/527/2024 on Tuesday after the prosecution applied to withdraw them.
The prosecution was represented at Tuesday’s proceedings by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), Mohammed Abubakar.
Abubakar told the court that he was exercising the powers granted the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) by the Constitution, under Section 174 to take over the case from the police.
When allowed by the Abuja court to assume further prosecution of the case, the DPPF then applied to discontinue the case, an application defence lawyers did not oppose.
Ruling, Justice Egwuatu granted the request and struck out the charges.
The defendants were not in court, but the judge ordered their immediate release from custody.
Confirming their release, Deji Adeyanju wrote; “Our kids were so happy and shouting our names. FREEDOM!”
