The federal government Tuesday officially handed over 119 freed minors arraigned by the police over alleged involvement in the #Endbadgovernance protests in some parts of the country, to both Kano and Kaduna state governments.
Vice President Kashim Shettima handed over the minors to Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano state and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state.
Speaking at the event, the vice president said the minors were released based on the president’s directive.
“The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, instructed the release of the suspects on humanitarian grounds, despite incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of their perpetration and actions; some of which were uploaded by the actors themselves.
“Regarding the evidence against them, the President, as the father of the nation, has decided to give these young men another chance at becoming responsible citizens who will make a positive impact, in a drive for a better Nigeria,” he said.
He said the released minors have a lot to contribute to nation-building in future.
“I would like to admonish you, young men, to not allow yourselves to be used to perpetrate violence and destroy public and private property. Over N300 billion was lost in the protests, consisting mainly of private property and loss of business.
“I will urge you, I will advise you as our children to use the opportunity of the President’s magnanimous gesture in ensuring that you overcome and become responsible citizens who will contribute to the growth of the society,” he said.
The Vice President also urged the governors of Kano and Kaduna states who received the minors to ensure they reintegrate them into the society.
“I will urge our Governors and our elected representatives here cutting across political divides that what binds us together as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria supersedes whatever divides.
“I will call our two Governors and our Representatives into a single cause, and ensure that these subjects are rehabilitated and reintegrated to the fabric of our communities,” he said.
In his remarks, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Professor Nentawe Yilwatda said the ministry swung into action Monday as directed by the president to ensure the release of the suspects.
“We worked with the Ministry of Justice through the Director of Public Prosecution to give us the details of the people that were released to us and we have this data, which we are handing over to the State Governors so that they can track them and ensure that all of them are taken care of,” he said.
He said the minors were checked by physicians who certified that all of them were in good condition of health.
Receiving the minors, the governors appreciated President Tinubu for his show of magnanimity, and assured the Vice President that the minors would go to school or adopt chosen vocations in which they have skills.
Also present at the event were Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation Abubakar Bich, Minister of Education Tunji Alausa, that of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Tanko Sununu, and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for the North-West Abdullahi Yakasai.
…Court strikes out suit
Earlier, the Federal High Court in Abuja, had struck out the charges brought against the 119 minors on the request of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, SAN.