By Akinwale Kasali
“Who sent this guy to file this frivolous case?”, was how Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Senior Pastor of the Daily Star Ministries reacted to the criminal suit filed against him 49 others over their alleged role in the recent #EndSARS nationwide protest.
Mr Kenechukwu Okeke, dragged him, several Nigerian celebrities, including Tu Face Idibia, and other prominent personalities before a Chief Magistrate’s court in Abuja for their alleged roles in the #EndSARS protests which rocked the nation
Okeke alleged that during the protest which was hijacked by hoodlums, his properties were destroyed and the defendants who promoted the #EndSARS protests must be brought to justice for engineering the protest.
The Complainant listed a long list of defendants that includes: Damini Ogulu aka Burna Boy, David Adeleke otherwise known as Davido, Folarin Falana popularly known as Falz; and social media comedians, Debo Adebayo aka Mr Macaroni, and Maryam Apaokagi aka Taoma.
Other musicians sued include Peter and Paul Okoye, Innocent Idibia aka Tuface, Bankole Wellington popularly known as Banky W, Tiwa Savage, Michael Ajereh aka Don Jazzy and Yemi Alade.
Apart from musicians, others listed as defendants include Senior Pastor, Daystar Christian Centre, Pastor Sam Adeyemi; activist, Aisha Yesufu; ex-Super Eagles of Nigeria Football legend, Kanu Nwankwo; a former Director General, Bureau for Public Sector Reform, Dr. Joe Abah; journalist, Kiki Mordi, and actors, Yul Edochie and Uche Jombo.
Others are social media influencers – Feyikemi Abudu, Olorunrinu Oduala, Pamilerin Adegoke, Japhet Omojuwa, Ayo Sogunro and Deji Adeyanju were also joined in the suit.
The case was instituted on Monday pursuant to sections 88, 109(a), 110(1)(c) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
In his supporting affidavit, Okeke said the defendants played active roles in the #EndSARS protest which later became violent.
It read in part, “That the 1st to 50th accused persons between the 3rd day of October 2020 and the 28th day of October 2020, using Twitter, an Internet web source with URL https://www.twitter.com within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire amongst themselves to commit misdemeanour, to wit, promoting and acting in such a manner, with intent to assist in the promotion of #EndSARS and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97(2) of the Penal Code Act, C53 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“That the 1st to 50th accused persons with intent to carry out some common purpose, assemble in such a manner or being assembled under the composition of #EndSARS as to cause persons in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to fear on reasonable grounds that such assembly needlessly and without any reasonable occasion may provoke other persons tumultuously to disturb the peace.
“Properties belonging to the complaint were egregiously destroyed by some riotous and tumultuous persons instigated and incited by the 1st to 50th accused persons.”
Tuface dismissed the case as a non-issue as nobody has served him with any summons.
Many Nigerians have also dismissed the case as nonsense, saying: Let the masquerades behind the plaintiff show their faces.
