A Lagos State Magistrate’s Court in Ogba has convicted six individuals—Daniel Joyinbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Usseni, and Azeez Isiaka—who were arrested by the police during the 2020 #EndSARS protest in the state,leadership reports.
Magistrate Bola Osunsanmi convicted them after they pleaded guilty to a one-count charge of causing a breach of peace, brought against them by the Lagos State Government.
However, the court released them, noting that they had already spent more time in custody than the prescribed punishment for their offence.
The offence of breach of peace carries a maximum penalty of three months imprisonment or a fine of N15,000.
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When the case was heard on Thursday, the prosecution team, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, informed Magistrate Osunsanmi that the charge against the defendants had been amended, and requested that they be asked to enter their plea.
The charge stated, “That you, Daniel Joyinbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Usseni, Azeez Isiaka, on the 23rd day of November 2020, at approximately 12:00 hours at Ebutte Metta, Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial district, conducted yourselves in a manner likely to cause a breach of peace, thereby committing an offence punishable under section 168(d) of the Lagos State law of Nigeria 2015.”
Upon hearing the charge, the defendants pleaded guilty, prompting Dr. Martins to ask the court to impose the sentence as stipulated by the law.
The defence counsel, Tajudeen Ojeshino, pleaded with the court for leniency, stating, “My lord, I appeal to the court to temper justice with mercy, as the defendants are first-time offenders. Some of them are the primary breadwinners for their families and are still young. They have already spent four years in prison and have learned their lessons.”
Magistrate Osunsanmi then asked the defendants if they understood the charge and the court’s obligation to impose the maximum sentence. They confirmed that they did.
In her judgment, the Magistrate convicted the defendants but ordered their release, considering the time they had already spent in prison. She also warned them to avoid any future involvement in criminal activities.
