AGF orders Police to transfer case file of minors arraigned in #EndBadGovernance protest

Abdullateef Fowewe

Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to transfer the case files of 76 defendants, including minors, charged in connection with the #EndBadGovernance protests.

This directive follows public outrage after the minors appeared malnourished and collapsed in court during their arraignment on Friday, November 1.

This was contained in a letter signed by the AGF and shared by the President’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga on Saturday.

Fagbemi emphasised the need for his office to review the case before making further decisions, acknowledging that he cannot alter the court’s remand order, which is set for January.

The letter reads, “It has just come to my notice that the police have arraigned those arrested in connection with the end bad governance violent protest in court for various offences, including treason.

“My office will need to look into some issues regarding the matter so that I can make an informed decision.

I am aware that the court has remanded the defendants in detention centres and adjourned the case to January.

“It is not within my power to vary the order of the court remanding the defendants in detention centres and adjourning the case to January. I have, however, directed the Nigeria Police to transfer the case file to my office and hand it over to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) tomorrow, Saturday, 2nd November, 2024.

“I have also directed the DPPF to immediately set machinery in motion for the court’s consideration of moving the adjournment date forward (to an earlier date).”