The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday struck out the charges brought against a total of 119 #EndBadGovernance Protesters.
All 119 protesters were brought before a judge on Friday, November 1 on charges bordering on treasonable felony, intent to destabilize Nigeria, and inciting to mutiny by calling on the military to take over government from President Bola Tinubu, among others.
The defendants were arraigned in two batches at the previous proceeding.
The first batch comprised of a total of 76 protesters which included 32 minors and the second batch a total of 43 protesters. The arraignment of the minors led to heavy criticism.
At the resume of proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Federal Ministry of Justice, M. D Abubakar, who appeared for the AGF, told Justice Egwuatu that the Federal Government has decided to take over and discontinue the matter.
Abubakar cited Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, as he told the court that the AGF in exercising his powers wishes to take over the case from the Inspector General of Police.
He said, “We have an application to take over the matter and to discontinue same under section 174 of the constitution”.
The AGF’s application was not opposed by the defense counsel.
Femi Falana (SAN), said, “We have no objection to the application because it is per the letter and spirit of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act as well as several provisions of the Child Rights Act.
“The AGF has the power to take over the case at any stage and exercise his discretion to discontinue the suit.”
Upon the agreement of the parties involved that the AGF should take over the matter, the court granted the request.
After the court granted the request, the AGF cited authorities from the same section of the Constitution to discontinue the trial of the 119 accused persons.
The defense counsel did not oppose this request either. Following the no objection from the defense, Justice Egwuatu struck out the charges.
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