The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, has clarified the position of the Nigerian law on the prosecution of minors involved in criminal conducts, including treasonable acts.
According to the Minister, no Nigerian law prevents the prosecution of minors in criminal matters, including treason.
He made this clarification to newsmen on Thursday at the grand opening of Law Corridor’s new office complex in Abuja.
This coming on the heels of some respondents to the Federal High Court, Abuja’s recent order to release about 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters (minors and adults).
Recall that the Inspector General of Police, IGP, had arraigned some protesters of #EndBadGovernance in court in Abuja.
However, drama played out when about six of the youths allegedly minors fainted in the courtroom. A development that drew mixed reactions from cross section of Nigerians.
To help douse the tension generated by the arraignment President Bola Tinubu instructed the AGF on Monday to facilitate, in accordance with the law, the release of all minors.
Speaking on the President’s order, the AGF stated that the President’s decision was motivated by compassion as a father. He noted that this is despite the facts available to the security agencies regarding the suspects.
The AGF, therefore, emphasized that the impression that minors were released simply because of their age is incorrect.
He said, “The President has come out to say that, despite all this, I have children, grandchildren, and perhaps even great-grandchildren. That was what motivated his passion to release them and offer them some measure of support. The credit goes to him for showing compassion in their release and treatment. There is no law in this country that says a minor cannot be tried.”
The AGF also noted that an examination of the law and Constitution makes it clear that the Federal High Court has jurisdiction in matters related to treason and related offenses.
“But whatever the situation, the President has closed the chapter by his decision to release these young people,” he added
Contributing to the discussion, Law Corridor’s founder, Barrister Pelumi Jacob Olajengbesi, stated that the position remains that in any society, both the government and the governed must respect the rule of law, which has various aspects.
He emphasized that there is no reason why anyone, including minors, should be incarcerated for advocating good governance.
“If the Federal Government is releasing the incarcerated #EndBadGovernance protesters on whatever grounds, it’s the Government’s choice. I know for a fact that, whether one likes it or not, justice will ultimately prevail,” he said.
Olajengbesi, therefore, encouraged Nigerians to recognize that the Federal Government has shown a level of consideration by releasing the protesters. He advised stakeholders in Nigeria to promote partnerships in legal practice. He noted that this would help improve the justice system and jurisprudence in the country.
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