Six individuals who participated in the 2020 #EndSARS protests have been released after spending nearly four years in custody. The Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ikeja, Lagos, recently ruled on their case, which had drawn significant attention due to its connection to the nationwide protests against police brutality.
The accused—Daniel Joyinbo (31), Adigun Sodiq (28), Kehinde Shola (32), Salaudeen Kamilu (29), Sodiq Usseni (33), and Azeez Isiaka (34)—were initially charged with disrupting public order during the protests. The Lagos State Government brought these charges under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which addresses actions that could lead to public unrest.
As the trial progressed, the defendants opted for a plea bargain, admitting guilt to the charges leveled against them. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, presented an amended charge and advocated for sentencing in light of the guilty pleas.
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However, their legal representative, T.D. Ojeshino, urged the court to consider leniency. He highlighted the fact that the defendants were first-time offenders and had already spent considerable time in detention, which had deeply impacted their lives and families. He argued that this experience had served as a significant lesson for them.
In her ruling, Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi acknowledged the time the defendants had already spent in detention and decided to caution and discharge them instead of imposing a further sentence. She emphasized that their prolonged incarceration had already served as a sufficient consequence for their actions.
The case underscores the long-lasting effects of the #EndSARS protests, which called for an end to police brutality and led to widespread demonstrations across Nigeria. The release of these six men marks a significant moment in the ongoing narrative of justice and accountability surrounding the events of 2020.
