Tinubu Orders Release Of #EndBadGovernance Malnourished Minors in Detention
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has ordered the release of the underage children arraigned before an Abuja Federal High Court on Friday, November 1 over their roles in the #EndBadGovernance protests.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, after an emergency meeting held at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
The decision follows the publci outcry that greeted the court session of the minors on Friday where some of the minors collapse in court due to malnourishment.
The malnourished minors are said to have been held by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in an adult facility at the Intelligence Response Team unit in the Apo area of the Federal Capital Territory.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu then slammed a N10m bail condition on each of the minors.
“The President has ordered the immediate release of all the minors who have been arrested by the Nigeria Police without prejudice to whatever legal processes they are undergoing. He has directed that they be released immediately.
“Secondly, the President has also directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to immediately attend to the welfare of these minors, and to ensure their smooth reunion with their parents or guardians wherever they are in the country.
“Thirdly, the President has directed that an administrative committee will be set up immediately, to be headed by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, to examine all issues surrounding the arrest, detention, treatment, and finally, the release of these young minors.
“Fourthly, the President has also directed that all law enforcement agents involved in the arrest and the legal processes will be investigated, and if any infractions are found to have been committed by any official of Government, whether from a law enforcement agency or another appropriate authority, disciplinary action will be taken against him or her,” the Minister said.
