The Kano State Government, led by spokesperson Sanusi Bature, has expressed relief following the Federal High Court’s dismissal of charges against minors arrested during the #EndBadGovernance protests in Kano.
The court’s decision, delivered by Justice Obiora Egwuatu on Tuesday, responded to a request from the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to discontinue the case.
In a show of solidarity, Kano State officials attended the court session in Abuja to support the teenagers.
Following the ruling, the minors will be taken to the Presidential Villa for an official handover to Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and later flown back to Kano for rehabilitation before reuniting with their families.
AGF counsel M.D. Abubakar invoked Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution to take over the case from the Inspector General of Police, subsequently requesting the court to dismiss the charges.
Justice Egwuatu approved the request, dismissing the charges and ordering the minors’ immediate release from detention, with no objections from the defense.
The decision aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive issued on Monday, urging the AGF to terminate the minors’ trial, emphasizing that their detention was inappropriate given their age.
Kano officials have committed to supporting the minors’ rehabilitation upon their return.
