The Federal High Court in Abuja has thrown out the treason charges filed against the #EndBadGovernance movement by the Inspector General of Police.
On Tuesday, Justice Obiora Egwuatu dismissed the charges after they were withdrawn by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, representing the federal government.
Fagbemi, SAN, represented by the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF), M.D. Abubakar, stated during the proceedings that he was exercising his authority under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution to assume control of the case from the Inspector General of Police.
After the court approved the request, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) then cited the same section of the Constitution to end the trial of the 150 defendants.
Justice Egwuatu granted the request and dismissed the charges without any objections from the lawyers representing the accused.
Although the defendants were not present in court, the judge ordered their immediate release from detention.
On Monday, President Bola Tinubu instructed the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to drop the charges against the accused individuals, the majority of whom are reportedly minors and thus legally protected from such trials.
Further details will follow.
