A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has acquitted and discharged six men who were on trial for disturbing public peace during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
The defendants—Daniel Joyinbo (31), Adigun Sodiq (28), Kehinde Shola (32), Salaudeen Kamilu (29), Sodiq Usseni (33), and Azeez Isiaka (34)—had entered into a plea bargain with the Lagos State Government and pleaded guilty to the charges.
After reviewing the plea agreement, Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi found them guilty but opted to caution and discharge them instead of sentencing, citing that they had already spent nearly four years in custody.
During the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, presented an amended charge, stating that the offence occurred on November 23, 2020, in Ebutte Metta, Lagos. He noted that their actions were likely to breach public peace, violating Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and urged the court to sentence the defendants accordingly.
However, the defendants’ lawyer, T.D. Ojeshino, requested leniency, highlighting that they were first-time offenders, some of whom were the main providers for their families. He emphasized that they had already been in custody since 2020 and had learned their lesson, urging the court to temper justice with mercy.
