The Lagos State Police Command has explained that the six individuals who were recently freed after nearly four years in prison were not detained or tried for their involvement in the #EndSARS protests, but for exploiting the protests to commit crimes.
In a statement posted on X.com on Friday, the command clarified that the six men were charged with burglary and theft, crimes they carried out under the cover of the protests.
The police further mentioned that although they were convicted, the court chose to grant them clemency.
The statement read, “Clarification: They were not arrested or prosecuted for protesting. They were prosecuted for breaking and stealing, which they committed under the guise of #endsars protests.
“Although they were convicted, the court, in its wisdom, granted them pardon.”
The 2020 #EndSARS movement consisted of numerous protests in Nigeria aimed at opposing police misconduct and government corruption.
Although most demonstrators remained peaceful, a few exploited the situation by engaging in looting and property damage.
On Friday, PUNCH reported that the Lagos State Magistrate Court in Ogba released six men who had been detained during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
Don’t miss this: Suspect linked to ritual killing of 21-year-old not our student — University
The accused individuals, named Daniel Joyinbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Usseni, and Azeez Isiaka, were freed on Thursday by Magistrate Bolanle Osunsanmi after receiving a caution.
They were released following a guilty plea to a revised charge filed against them by the Lagos State Government.
The PUNCH
