Court frees six #ENDSARS protesters after 4 years in detention

The Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos on Thursday acquitted six persons charged with breaching public order during the 2020 #ENDSARS protests in the state.

They are – Daniel Joyinbo (31), Adigun Sodiq (28), Kehinde Shola (32), Salaudeen Kamilu (29), Sodiq Usseni (33) and Azeez Isiaka (34).

In a plea bargain agreement, the defendants pleaded guilty to one count of breach of public peace brought against them by the Lagos State government.

After hearing the plea bargain agreement, Judge, Mrs. Bola Osunsanmi, found the defendants guilty and sentenced them for the offense.

However, he warned and released them because they had spent almost four years in detention.

Earlier, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, told the court that he had amended his charges.

He said the accused committed the offence on November 23, 2020, in the Ebutte Metta area of ​​the state.

He added that the defendants behaved in a manner likely to cause a breach of public order.

READ ALSO: Rights groups demand justice for #EndSARS protesters

The DPP said the offence contravened Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

However, Martins urged the court to sentence the defendants based on their defense.

The defendants’ legal representative, Mr. TD Ojeshino, appealed to the court to turn justice into mercy.

“Your Honor, I ask the court not to give justice with mercy because the defendants are first-time offenders.

“There are those who are the breadwinners of the family and are still very young.

“They have been in custody since 2020 and have truly learned from their mistakes,” he said.

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