Clarifying recent reports, the Lagos State Police Command emphasized that the six individuals recently released after nearly four years in prison were not arrested or prosecuted for participating in the #EndSARS protests. Instead, they were charged with crimes committed under the cover of the protests.
In a statement released on X.com on Friday, the police explained that these six men were prosecuted for breaking and stealing during the protests. Although they were found guilty, the court exercised its discretion and granted them pardon.
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 #EndSARS protests of 2020 were primarily peaceful demonstrations against police brutality and corruption in Nigeria. However, some individuals exploited the situation to engage in looting and vandalism. The Lagos State Magistrate Court in Ogba discharged the six men—Daniel Joyinbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Usseni, and Azeez Isiaka—on Thursday after they pleaded guilty to a single amended charge brought by the Lagos State Government. Magistrate Bolanle Osunsanmi released them after issuing a caution.
