Court Strikes Out Treason Suit Against #EndBadGovernance Protesters

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has struck out the suit against 119 protesters charged over the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest.

The presiding judge, Obiora Egwuatu, on Tuesday struck out the case following an application by M.D Abubakar, counsel to the attorney-general of the federation (AGF).

Abubakar had applied to take over and discontinue the suit.

At the court session on Tuesday, Abubakar prayed the court to allow the AGF to take over the charge.

During the court session, Abubakar invoked Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the AGF the authority to take over and discontinue any criminal proceedings initiated by other bodies, including the Inspector General of Police.

After Justice Egwuatu’s request was granted, the AGF requested that the 119 accused persons’ trials be halted under the same section of the Constitution.

Justice Egwuatu granted the request and dismissed the charges after no objections were raised by the accused’s lawyers.

The accused persons were not present in court, but the judge ordered their immediate release from prison.