AGF moves to take over trial of #Endbadgovernance protesters
AGF, Lateef Fagbemi
Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun
By Ebere Agozie
Following outrage that followed their straight in court on Friday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has directed that the case file of the detained ‘Endbadgovernance protesters be transferred to his office.
Fagbemi in a statement on Friday in Abuja said that he noticed that the police have arraigned those arrested in connection with the endbadgovernance violent protest in court for various offences, including treason.
The AGF added that said that he is equally 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.
“But there are some issues my office will need to look into regarding the matter to enable me take an informed decision.
“I have directed the Nigeria Police to transfer the case file to my office and hand over same to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) tomorrow, Saturday 2nd November, 2024.
“I have further directed the DPPF to immediately put machinery in motion for consideration of the court to bring the adjournment date forward to an earlier date,” he said.
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Recall that the trial of the #EndBadGovernance protesters was stalled at a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, as no fewer than four children, among the 76 defendants, billed for arraignment over their involvement in the August protest held across the country, collapsed during their trial.
The Inspector-General (I-G) of Police had, earlier charged 11 of the protesters before Justice Emeka Nwite of a sister court on alleged treason, intent to destabilise Nigeria, conspiracy to commit felony and inciting mutiny, among others, which are punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code.
The protesters were arrested in Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Gombe over the 10-day protest which resulted in violence and killings in parts of the country.
However, when the matter was called on Friday, I-G’s lawyer, Audu Garba, informed the court that the matter was slated for arraignment of the 76 defendants, who had been in detention.
Shortly after they were called into the dock to take their plea, four of the children slumped in the open court.
The four of them were Usman Fatihu (21 years), Muhammed Yahaya (14 years), Muktar Ishak Alhassan (16 years) and Mustapha Ibrahim (18 years).
They are 68th, 74th, 75th, and 76th defendants respectively in the 10-count charge bordering on treason, among other offences.
The trial judge, Obiora Egwuatu, abruptly stood down the trial and rose.
Justice Egwuatu came back after some minutes later to continue with the trial.
