A Lagos State Magistrate Court in Ogba has discharged six men who were arrested during the #EndSARS protests in 2020 and have since spent almost four years in prison. The men—Daniel Joyinbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Usseni, and Azeez Isiaka—were released on Thursday after pleading guilty to an amended charge.
Magistrate Bolanle Osunsanmi ordered their release after cautioning them, taking into account the time they had already served. The men were accused by the Lagos State Government of conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, an offence under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The charge, dated August 22, 2024, stated that the alleged offence occurred on November 23, 2020, in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos. According to the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, their actions could have disturbed public order, a punishable offence under the state’s laws.
After the defendants entered their guilty pleas, Magistrate Osunsanmi confirmed that they understood the implications of their pleas and the potential penalties, which could include up to three months of imprisonment or a fine of N15,000.
While the prosecution requested sentencing according to the guilty plea agreement, the defence counsel, T.D. Ojeshina, pleaded for leniency, emphasizing that the men were first-time offenders and had already spent nearly four years in custody.
Magistrate Osunsanmi acknowledged their time served, stating that the nearly four years in prison exceeded the maximum penalty for their offence. She then discharged the men but cautioned them about the seriousness of their actions, urging them to lead law-abiding lives going forward.
