- Safiu Kehinde
A Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has, today, discharged six #EndSARS protesters detained since 2020.
The six protesters identified as Daniel Joyinbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Useni, and Azeez Isiaka, were discharged having found guilty by Magistrate, Mrs. Bola Osunsanmi.
They were arrested and charged with breach of public peace during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
According to the Director for Public Prosecution, Babajide Martins, the convicts committed the offence on the 23rd of November, 2020 at Ebute-Metta area of Lagos.
The defendants pleaded guilty of the single count charge in a plea bargain agreement while their legal counsel, T.D Ojeshina prayed to the court to tamper justice with mercy as they have been detained for too long.
“My lord, I plead the court to tamper justice with mercy as the defendants are first time offenders.
“Some are bread winners of their families and still very young.
“They have been in custody since 2020 and have truly learnt their lessons,” he said.
Considering their detainment period, the Magistrate cautioned and discharged them.
Reacting to the release of the protesters, Amnesty International welcomed the development but condemned their unlawful detainment.
As contained in a post on the official X handle, the Nigerian Authorities filed trumped-up charges’ against several #EndSARS protesters who were unjustly detained and subjected to torture since 2020.
“Amnesty International welcomes the release of six #EndSARS protesters unlawfully detained since October 2020. The protesters; Daniel Joyinbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Useni and Azeez Isiaka should not have been detained in the first place.
“The Nigerian authorities filed trumped-up charges including theft, arson, possession of unlawful firearms, and murder against many of the protesters. Many peaceful #EndSARS protesters were subjected to torture and other ill treatment while in detention since 2020.” The post read.