EndSARS: Lagos Disagrees With Police, Frees Protesters

By Tosin Olatokunbo

The Lagos state government will not allow innocent persons to be punished over the recent EndSARS protest that rocked the state to its very foundation. It, has, therefore directed those wrongly arrested by the police and other security agencies as suspects to be released.

In the wake of the end police brutality protest, three weeks ago, which led to arson, looting and destruction of both public and private property, the Nigerian police have arrested some suspects believed to have unleashed mayhem on the state after hijacking the protest.

Over 360 suspects believed to have taken part in the destruction, the police said were arrested across the state and currently being prosecuted.

But the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo said the police have failed to establish a prima facie case against many of the suspects who are being detained and remanded in prison.

For this reason, Onigbanjo said, the state government has no other option than to set those suspect free so that they can go back to their families.

According to a statement by Kayode Oyekanmi, Director, Public Affairs in the ministry, 253 suspects are in this category and the state has no reasons to keep them further.

The state’s chief law officer said the decision was made after the Director of Public Prosecution, DPP had studied the case files from the police and has issues a legal advice on the accordingly.

The statement said “Out of the 361 persons, the DPP shall be prosecuting 92 persons for different offences ranging from arson, stealing, breaking into buildings, armed robbery and murder.

“The office has advised that 253 persons be released forthwith for non-disclosure of a prima facie case,” while “two case files in respect of 16 persons have been advised for further investigation by the police.”

Meanwhile, some close observers of events in the state told the magazine that government may have taken the decision to free the suspects as a token of re-assurance to the protesters that it really wants peace to reign, as it tries to address issues raised during the unrest.