Six #EndSARS Detainees Released After Four Years In Custody

In a significant development concerning the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests, a Lagos State Magistrate Court in Ogba has discharged six men who had been incarcerated for nearly four years. The defendants, identified as Daniel Joyinbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Usseni, and Azeez Isiaka, were released by Magistrate Bolanle Osunsanmi on Thursday after pleading guilty to a single amended charge brought against them by the Lagos State Government.

These individuals were initially arrested during the height of the #EndSARS protests in 2020, a movement that saw widespread demonstrations against police brutality in Nigeria. The #EndSARS protests, which began as a peaceful movement, eventually escalated into widespread unrest, leading to numerous arrests, including the six men who were later charged with conduct likely to cause a breach of peace under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The amended charge, dated August 22, 2024, specifically accused the defendants of acting in a manner that could disturb public order on November 23, 2020, in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos. According to Dr. Babajide Martins, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the alleged offense was a violation of state law, carrying a penalty of up to three months of imprisonment or a fine of N15,000, or both, depending on the severity of the case.

During the court proceedings, after the defendants entered guilty pleas, Magistrate Osunsanmi ensured that they fully understood the implications of their plea. She questioned them directly about their comprehension of the content of their guilty plea and the court’s duty to impose the maximum sentence for the charge against them. The defendants affirmed their understanding and accepted the plea bargain agreement, which was part of the amended charge.

The prosecution, led by Dr. Martins, urged the court to sentence the defendants in line with their guilty pleas. However, the defense counsel, T.D. Ojeshina, made a heartfelt appeal for leniency. He highlighted the defendants’ status as first-time offenders and pointed out the significant hardship they had already endured during their nearly four years in custody. He also emphasized that some of the defendants were the primary breadwinners for their families, who had suffered greatly during their imprisonment.

“My Lord, I respectfully ask the court to temper justice with mercy. These young men are first-time offenders and have already spent nearly four years in custody. Some of them are the breadwinners of their families and have suffered greatly. They have learnt their lessons,” Ojeshina pleaded.

In her ruling, Magistrate Osunsanmi took into consideration the time already served by the defendants. Acknowledging the nearly four years they had spent in prison, she found them guilty as charged but decided to discharge them, noting that they had already served more than the required term of punishment.

However, before granting their release, the magistrate issued a stern warning to the six men. She reminded them of the serious consequences of their actions and urged them to lead law-abiding lives in the future, emphasizing the importance of their reintegration into society as responsible citizens.

The release of these men highlights the complexities and long-lasting impact of the #EndSARS protests, as well as the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability in Nigeria. Their case is a reminder of the thousands of individuals who were swept up in the unrest, many of whom are still navigating the legal and personal repercussions of those turbulent times. As they re-enter society, the hope is that they, and others like them, will be able to rebuild their lives and contribute positively to their communities.