Go and Sin No More, Shettima Tells All 119 Protesters, Including 29 Minors Facing Trial

*Says they’re released on compassionate ground, declares over N300bn properties lost*Kano gov: You committed treason, you owe your lives to Tinubu’s magnanimity

*IG vows to implement recommendations of investigative report on prosecution of underage

*Falana insists case withdrawal not enough, FG must rehabilitate the nonaged or get sued

Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Linus Aleke, Kuni Tyessi in Abuja and Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

Vice President Kashim Shettima, yesterday, told all the 119 protesters, including 29 minors facing trial for treason as a result of the August #endbadgovernance protest to go and sin no more.

The vice-president, who justified President Bola Tinubu’s directive for their release, said his principal took the decision on compassionate ground, revealing that, Nigeria lost over N300 billion from the destruction and halting of economic activities caused by the protesters, to both the public and private properties.

Also speaking, the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, who expressed gratitude to Tinubu for his compassionate decision, told the protesters that though they committed treason, they owed their lives to Tinubu’s magnanimity.

At the same time, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who directed investigations into the conditions surrounding the care and welfare of the young protesters while in police detention facilities, vowed to implement the recommendations of the panel report.
But a seasoned lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has tasked the federal government to rehabilitate the minors, saying it was not enough to withdraw the case against them.

The protesters were declared medically fit to be handed over to their governors after examination by the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda.

The vice-president spoke while receiving  the protesters at the Auditorium of the State House, Abuja, yesterday, shortly after their charges were dropped by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

Shettima said  there was incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of the perpetration and actions of some of the protesters which were uploaded by the actors themselves.

“The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, instructed the release of the suspect on humanitarian grounds, despite incontrovertible digital video and photographic evidence of the perpetration and actions some of which were uploaded by the actors themselves.

“Regarding this evidence, the President as the father of the nation is giving these young men another chance at becoming responsible citizens who will make a positive impact, in a drive for a better Nigeria.”

The vice-president admonished the youths, urging them not to be used to perpetrate violence and destroy public and private property, stressing that over N300 billion of mainly private property was lost during the protests.

“I would like to admonish you, young men not to allow yourselves to be used to perpetrate violence and destroy public and private property because over N300 billion was lost in the protests, consisting mainly private property and loss of business.

“I will urge you, I will advise you, you are 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.

Shettima also urged governors and elected officials to unite across political lines for the protesters reintegration into society.

He stated: “I will urge our governors and our elected representatives here, that cuts across political divide, what binds us together as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria supersedes whatever divides us.

“I will call on 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.”

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State expressed gratitude to Tinubu and the federal government for their compassionate decision regarding the release of protesters.

“What happened today will be written in gold. The president has shown his compassion and humility. He has demonstrated that you (protesters) are also his children,” he said.

Yusuf acknowledged the collective efforts of various stakeholders, including civil society organisations and the media, in advocating for the protesters’ freedom.

He stressed that the protesters’ release was not only a result of presidential compassion but also a response to persistent appeals from well-meaning Nigerians.

“What happened today will be written in gold. The president has shown his compassion and humility. He has shown that you (protesters) are also his children.

“Apart from his compassion, it was also a result for appeal by persistent Nigerians, by well meaning Nigerian, CSOs, The Press, the NBA. Everybody ensured that you are free.”

Kaduna State  Governor, Uba Sani, also admonished the protesters to make good use of the second chance that was given to them.
He said those that wanted to go to school would be assisted to do so, while those with skills in various vocation would be encouraged to developed them to earn their livelihood.

Justice Obiora Egwatu of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had earlier on Tuesday struck out the case against the protesters as requested by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), led by Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

Present at the ceremony were Deputy State President, Senator Jubrin Barau; Chairman, House committee on appropriation, Hon Abubakar Bichi; Ministers of Education, Tunji Alausa; Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Nentawe Yilwatda; Environment, Balarabe Lawal.
Others were Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Tanko Sununu and Senior Special Assistant to The President on Community Engagement,  Northwest, Abdullahi Yakasai.

IG: I’ll Implement Recommendations of Investigative Report on the Detained Minors

Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed investigation into the conditions surrounding the care and welfare of the young EndBadGovernance protesters while in police detention facilities.

He gave the directive while attending the African Union Mechanism for Police Cooperation committee meeting in Algiers.
Egbetokun, who is currently participating in Interpol General Assembly in Glasgow, Scotland, expressed displeasure over the malnourished state of the detainees arraigned on Friday, November 1, in Abuja.

A statement by Force Spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that upon receiving the investigative report in Glasgow, the IG vowed to thoroughly examine it and take necessary actions to address any procedural lapses or concerns.

He revealed that Egbetokun has summoned all DCs CID and Heads of Investigation Units to a conference and workshop on November 7, 2024, at the Police Resource Center, Jabi, to further ensure professionalism in investigation with emphasis on child-friendly investigation and care.

The Police Force, Adejobi said, reaffirmed its commitment to upholding legal frameworks, ensuring fairness, and accountability, especially for vulnerable groups.

Falana: Case Withdrawal Not Enough, FG Must Rehabilitate the 29 Minors or Be Sued

Lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, has tasked the federal government to rehabilitate the recently  released detained minors or face being sued.

Falana said the government was so ashamed that it couldn’t take the minors into the court room on Tuesday morning, unlike last week when it came to withdraw the frivolous charges against them.

Falana, who spoke yesterday in Abuja as the reviewer at a book presentation chronicling the incarceration of Gen. Zamani Lekwot, said it was the responsibility of the government to provide free and compulsory education for the minors as enacted into law.

Speaking on the book, “Judicial Terrorism – A macabre trial and death sentences on Maj- Gen Zamani Lekwot and five others in the Zangon Kataf crisis” written by Richard Akinnola, with foreword by Bishop Hassan Mathew Kukah, Falana said apart from being a lonely journey, the struggle for justice in Nigeria was a Herculean task.

“The struggle for justice in our country is a Herculean task. Just this morning before this programme commenced, I was in the court in Abuja where 119 Nigerians including 29 minors were brought to court.

“But the government was so ashamed that the couldn’t take them to the court room, unlike last week and of course, having been defeated by the public, the government came to the court this morning to withdraw the frivolous charges.

“But like I did say to the court, it is not enough to terminate this trial. This young people who ordinarily should have been in school during the protest, must be rehabilitated by the government and we are going to ensure that they are rehabilitated. If the government fails, we are going to court to sue the government.

“It is the responsibility of the government by virtue of the Child Rights Law which has been adopted and enacted into law by all the states of the Federation.

“Section 15 of that law provides that every child in Nigeria shall be given free and compulsory education from primary to junior secondary. This time around, we are going to ensure that they are given free education up to secondary school,” he said.

In chronicling, the incarceration of Lekwot as a result of the 1992 Zangon Kataf crisis and the court proceedings as led by Justice Benedict Okadigbo, Falana said the general was the first in Nigeria’s history to have served prison term in a regular prison.

He said it was not a surprise that the tribunal condemned all the six defendants to death but hanging and they were immediately moved to the condemned cell in Kaduna prison.

While congratulating Gen. Lekwot for being alive to witness the presentation of the book, he lamented that the likes of Ken Saro-wiwa and the Ogoni eight were not as lucky despite an extrapolation  and temporary injunction from the Commission of African and People’s Rights.
Lekwot, in his remark, recalled how the crisis started due to a disagreement in a market square and how it ended with a religious coloration that led to the arrest of 61 men from Zangon Kataf including the paramount ruler, the Agwatyap and clergy men.

He said the publication of the book was important and an avenue to state the facts as they happened against what had been peddled during the military era.

The sentences of the convicted six which was death by hanging were later committed to five year imprisonment.

CISLAC Hails Tinubu over Minors’ Release

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC),has commended Tinubu for instructing Fagbemi, to ensure the immediate release of all minors detained during the #EndBadGovernance protests across Nigeria.

This directive was announced by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who confirmed the president’s commitment to reuniting the minors with their families.

CISLAC welcomed the president’s decision, praising his willingness to investigate the circumstances leading to the arrests and to hold responsible security personnel accountable.

Additionally, CISLAC urged Tinubu to extend this directive to other detained protesters, fostering greater national unity, justice, and demonstrating a government open to addressing citizens’ grievances.

In a statement signed by CISLAC Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC called for two major reforms to Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

Firstly, CISLAC emphasised the need for comprehensive judicial reform, particularly targeting corruption within the judiciary
“To restore hope and stability in our country, we must ensure that only judges with integrity serve on our benches,” CISLAC stated.
“A reformed judiciary will not only strengthen the rule of law and democracy but also increase confidence among international investors, who seek a transparent and fair justice system,” the group added.