News
Court Acquits Six #EndSARS Protesters After Nearly Four Years in Detention
Six individuals arrested during the 2020 #EndSARS protests have been released after spending nearly four years in detention.
The Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court, on Thursday, August 22, discharged and acquitted the protesters, following a legal process initiated by the Lagos State Government.
The six men, identified as Daniel Joyinbo (31), Adigun Sodiq (28), Kehinde Shola (32), Salaudeen Kamilu (29), Sodiq Usseni (33), and Azeez Isiaka (34), had been in custody since their arrest during the nationwide protests against police brutality in 2020. They had been charged with a breach of public peace, among other allegations.
In the course of the legal proceedings, the defendants entered a plea bargain agreement with the prosecution, pleading guilty to the charge brought against them.
Chief Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi presided over the case and, upon reviewing the plea bargain, found them guilty of the offence.
Despite the conviction, she noted that the defendants had already spent a significant period in custody—nearly four years—during which they had been awaiting the conclusion of their case.
Taking this prolonged detention into account, Magistrate Osunsanmi opted to caution the defendants rather than impose further punitive measures.
She discharged and acquitted all six individuals, effectively bringing their lengthy legal ordeal to an end.
The #EndSARS movement, which called for the dissolution of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and broader police reform, saw thousands of Nigerians taking to the streets in October 2020.
Many protesters were arrested, and some have remained in custody for years while awaiting trial. The release of these six individuals represents a significant moment in the ongoing legal fallout from the protests.
The state of the country is affecting many people, as they believe nowhere is safe, including schools where they keep their children.
It has been reported that some parents have started withdrawing their children from schools in Abuja.
It can be noted that rumours of bandits being sighted near a school triggered panic, causing parents to hurriedly remove their children for safety.
While the reports of bandits have not been confirmed, the school has also issued safety measures to ensure the protection of students within the premises.
It has been rumored that bandits have made their way to Lagos, and allegedly they were spotted in Ibeju-Lekki, where some residents became suspicious of them and reported the matter.
A clip of the group of men went viral online, and many people became concerned. Whether true or not, fear has been sparked among Lagosians as they worry that bandits may already be in the state. Even if the reports remain unconfirmed, many believe it is still a possibility worth paying attention to.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers staged a protest following the abduction of teachers and students in Oyo State, stating that no school in Nigeria is truly safe at the moment.
The teachers held a peaceful rally, calling for the safe release and rescue of the abducted teachers and students. They urged authorities to intensify efforts to secure their freedom and improve security across schools.
Amid the calls for their release, the union added “People travelling on highways are being dragged into forests after vehicles are stopped. One can no longer move freely. These criminal groups have littered every corner of the federation carrying out nefarious activities. We must be truthful to ourselves; government has not done enough.”
Ariana Grande Scores Billboard Hot 100 Entry With New Song
Nancy Isime Thanks Fans for Support Following Blood Sisters 2 Success
