An Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court has discharged and acquitted six men who were charged with breach of public peace during the 2020 #EndSARS protest. The defendants, who had been held since 2020, pleaded guilty to the charge and were convicted, but the magistrate, Mrs. Bola Osunsanmi, cautioned and discharged them due to their lengthy detention.
The defendants, Daniel Joyinbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Usseni, and Azeez Isiaka, were accused of conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of the public peace on November 23, 2020, at Ebute Metta, Lagos.
Their legal representative, Mr. T.D Ojeshino, pleaded for mercy, citing their youth and the fact that they were first-time offenders and breadwinners of their families. The Director for Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, had urged the court to sentence the defendants based on their plea.
The magistrate’s decision to discharge and acquit the defendants brings an end to their lengthy detention, which began in 2020. The #EndSARS protest was a nationwide demonstration against police brutality and bad governance, which was met with force by security agents, resulting in the arrest and detention of many protesters.
Key points:
- Six men charged with breach of public peace during #EndSARS protest discharged and acquitted
- Defendants pleaded guilty and were convicted, but magistrate cautioned and discharged them due to lengthy detention
- Defendants had been held since 2020
- Magistrate’s decision brings an end to their lengthy detention
- #EndSARS protest was a nationwide demonstration against police brutality and bad governance.
