Anyone Older Than Seven Can Be Arraigned – Police

The Nigeria Police Force has stated that individuals over the age of seven can be legally charged and brought before a court.

This declaration came amidst public backlash following the arraignment of minors involved in the #Endbadgovernance protests held from August 1-10, 2024.

Force spokesperson Muyiwa Ogunjobi, in a recent interview with Channels Television, defended the decision, noting that 76 minors arrested during the protests were arraigned on charges including alleged treason.

CityMirrorNews reports that one of the minors fainted in court on Friday, where each suspect was granted bail set at N10 million.

Ogunjobi said, “Those that are not criminally liable under the law, those are the ones that are below the age of seven. Once you are more than seven, you can be charged to court.

“The only thing is that you have to follow certain procedures to do that. None of them is less than seven. I think the youngest should be 13.

“The fact that you are a 13 year old doesn’t mean you cannot be charged to court. In the Children and Young Persons act, we can still charge you to court.

“We have charged them to court for this on behalf of the Federal government of Nigeria. The police has taken the bull by the horn.”

The decision has drawn widespread criticism. Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, voiced his disapproval, pointing out the hardships the government is imposing on young Nigerians.

Meanwhile, organisations like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Amnesty International Nigeria have called on the Tinubu administration and the court to release all 76 minors involved.

Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong also criticized the government’s actions, arguing that such treatment of minors is inconsistent with Nigeria’s desire to attract international investors and goodwill.