Duty Solicitors Network (DSN), strong advocate against corruption in the judiciary, and promoter of the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme(PDSS) has condemn in strong terms the detention, arraignment, and remand of 76 alleged kids being tried for treason at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Only last night, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN directed the removal of the case file from the police and transferred to the Federal Directorate of Public Prosecutions (FDPP) who is expected to file an application for the abridgement of time before the trial court this coming week.

Bayo Akinlade, the founder DSN and PDSS stated: “what kind of investigation was done to conclude that these boys, who look like your everyday almajuries in the streets in the north have suddenly become terrorists capable of disrupting government?”.

He continued: “terrorism is a serious offence, it goes beyond flying foreign flags in a public protests. Terrorist are often hidden, well structured, well funded and have manifestos prepared for their anticipated success of overthrowing a government. At least we watch movies and those of us who experienced military coups in our younger days understand what it takes to engage in any act tantamount to terrorism”.

He said further: “It is sad that these boys have come all the way to court and to be treated like this in a court of law, justice and equity is a scandal to say the least”.

Akinlade goes on to say that: “I cannot pretend, I am totally disappointed with the courts right now. Whatever the facts that were placed before his lordship are, his lordship should have taken counsel from the law and others who understand the child protection laws for guidance but bringing the full weight of the law upon these misguided (at best) children is very insensitive and in contrast to the training and disposition of a judge”.

Mr. Akinlade also condemns the role the police played especially for detaining the children beyond the constitutionally prescribed period and for not bringing the case to the attention of the office of the Federal DPP before arraignment.

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