Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, has directed the police to transfer the #EndBadGovernance protesters’ case file to his office.

The protesters, including minors, were arraigned in a Federal High Court in Abuja on Friday. The federal government has been condemned for the arrest, detention and arraignment of the minors.

Kayode Egbetokun, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), charged more than 22 minors, along with adults, with terrorism and an attempt to overthrow the government for their participation in the protest in August. Egbetokun also secured remand warrants to keep them in custody for over 60 days.

Renewed backlash from the public came on Friday morning when video clips of the minors slumping and losing consciousness inside the courtroom due to malnutrition started circulating on social media.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Child IGP Egbetokun Arraigned Over #EndBadGovernance Protest Slumps in Court

Following the public criticism, the AGF announced on Friday night that he had directed the police to transfer the case file to his office and the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) on Saturday.

“It has just come to my notice that the police have arraigned those arrested in connection with the endbad governance violent protest in court for various offences including treason,” read the statement.

“There are some issues my office will need to look into regarding the matter to enable me take an informed decision.

“I am aware that the court has remanded the defendants in detention centres and adjourned the case to January.

“It is not within my power to vary the order of the court remanding the defendants in detention centres and adjourning the case to January. I have, however, directed the Nigeria Police to transfer the case file to my office and hand over same to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) tomorrow, Saturday 2nd November, 2024.

“I have further directed the DPPF to immediately put machinery in motion for consideration of the court to bring the adjournment date forward (an earlier date).”

READ ALSO: Atiku, Obi, CSOs Condemn Inhumane Treatment of Detained Minors, Demand Release

Meanwhile, prominent Nigerians, including Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2023 presidential candidate, and Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, along with advocacy groups such as Amnesty International, Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria and Hope Behind Bars Africa have condemned the treatment of the minors and called for their immediate release.