The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi SAN, affirmed that Nigerian law does not exempt minors from criminal prosecution, even in cases involving serious offenses like treason.
Fagbemi addressed this during the grand opening of Law Corridor’s new office complex in Abuja on Thursday, where he responded to concerns over a recent Federal High Court ruling.
The ruling in question led to the release of 114 #EndBadGovernance protesters—both minors and adults—detained by the Nigeria Police Force. Explaining the rationale behind the release, Fagbemi clarified that the President’s decision was rooted in compassion rather than an exemption from legal accountability due to age.
“The President has said, ‘Despite everything, I have children, grandchildren, and possibly great-grandchildren,’” Fagbemi shared, adding that it was this paternal empathy that motivated the release of the young detainees. He emphasized that the action was an expression of compassion from the President and not due to any legal prohibition against prosecuting minors.
