In a landmark decision, the Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed charges against individuals involved in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu, presiding over the case, struck it out following a request by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Lateef Fagbemi.
Represented by the Director of Public Prosecution, Mohammed Abubakar, the AGF invoked his constitutional powers under section 174 of the 1999 Constitution to assume control of the case from the Inspector General of Police and then discontinue it.
The court granted this request without opposition from the defense counsel representing the 119 accused persons. Although the defendants, most of whom are minors, were not physically present in court, Justice Egwuatu ordered their immediate release from custody.
This development follows a directive from President Bola Tinubu, who earlier instructed the AGF to drop charges against those detained in connection with the protest.
