Police react to prosecution of minors

Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi has clarified that anyone above seven years old can be charged to Court.

Muyiwas disclosed this to newsmen during an interview with Channels TV on Friday.

Adejobi emphasised the legal framework allows minors as young as seven years old to face charges, provided that specific protocols are followed to ensure due process.

He said, “Those who are not criminally liable under the law are those under the age of seven. Once you are more than seven, you can be charged to court. The only requirement is that certain procedures need to be adhered to.”

Muyiwa’s statement is coming up as a result of the recent public outcry surrounding the arrest of minors allegedly involved in disruptive activities during the #EndBadGovernance protest; Adejobi pointed out that none of the individuals charged were below the age of seven, with the youngest being 13 years of age.

He added, “Even in the Children and Young Persons Act, you can be charged to court. They were charged on behalf of the federal government, with the Nigeria Police Force taking the bull by the horns.

Adejobi explained further that those arrested were youths who had reportedly hijacked the #EndBadGovernance protest, an event initially aimed at highlighting governmental reforms but later marred by violent actions.

He said, “These are individuals who leveraged on the EndBadGovernance protest, which they hijacked and turned violent. They were seen flying Russian flags and other foreign symbols, a criminal offense in itself. This demonstrates their criminal liability.”

The Force PRO clarified that no minors considered underage by Nigerian standards were prosecuted, ensuring adherence to legal definitions of criminal liability.

Recall Tribune Online earlier reported that the federal government, on Friday, arraigned 76 persons, mainly underage children detained over involvement in the August nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest, before Justice Obiora Egwuatu of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, the nation’s capital city. The suspects, facing a ten-count charge bordering on alleged treason, and conspiracy to commit felony with intent to destabilise Nigeria, which is contrary to Section 96 and punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Act.