The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) has stated that there is no law in the country prohibiting the prosecution of minors.
He argued that the recent arraignment of some minors involved in the #EndBadGovernance protest was not inappropriate.
Fagbemi spoke at Katampe in Abuja on Thursday evening at the inauguration of the new office of a law firm, the Law Corridor.
He said, “Let me seize this opportunity to clarify something. There is a misconception that, because these (some of those arraigned) are children and minors, various theories have surfaced.
“No law in this country says a minor cannot be tried. And, I have also heard suggestions that they should go to a family court.
“The study of the law and the Constitution leaves you with no other conclusion than that the Federal High Court has the jurisdiction in matters bordering on treason and related issues.
“So, whatever the situation, the President has closed the chapter by his decision to have these young men released.”
He observed that, considering the facts of the case, the offences were serious, adding, “Nonetheless, President Bola Tinubu, as a father and grandfather, chose to pardon them and drop the charges.
“The President was very compassionate, he is a father and a grandfather. If you look at the facts in the possession of the security agency, you would marvel. But the President said, despite all these, ‘I have children, grandchildren,’ and that motivated his passion to release them and also enable them in some ways
“So, the credit goes to him for showing compassion consideration in releasing the young chaps.”
