The Lagos State Police Command has clarified that the six persons who were recently released after spending almost four years in prison, were not arrested or prosecuted for participating in the #EndSARS protests, but rather for taking advantage of the protest to commit crimes.
In a statement released on X.com on Friday, the command explained that the six men were prosecuted for breaking and stealing, offenses they committed under the guise of the protests.
The police added that despite being 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, which took place in 2020, were a series of demonstrations against police brutality and corruption in Nigeria.
While the majority of protesters were peaceful, some individuals took advantage of the situation to loot and vandalize property.
The defendants, identified as Daniel Joyinbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Usseni, and Azeez Isiaka, were set free by Magistrate Bolanle Osunsanmi on Thursday, after being cautioned.
The defendants were discharged after pleading guilty to a single amended charge brought against them by the Lagos State Government.
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