Lagos orders release of 253 arrested over #EndSARS protests

LAGOS State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN, has directed the courts to immediately free 253 persons arrested by the Police in connection with the #EndSARS protests in the state.

Onigbanjo said the state’s Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) had assessed the temporary charges filed against them by the police and found no prima facie evidence that they committed any crime.

According to a statement by the Director, Public Affairs in the Ministry of Justice, Kayode Oyekanmi, the Attorney-General explained the Police forwarded 40 case files in respect of 361 persons arrested in connection with the #EndSARS protests to the DPP for Legal Advice, between November 4 and 5, 2020.

Onigbanjo said: “Legal advice has been issued in respect of all the 40 case files received, and as at 6th November 2020, the Directorate has been able to dispatch Legal Advice in respect of 81 persons that are being charged to the various courts, while others will be dispatched to court on Monday, 9th November 2020.

“Out of the 361 persons, the Director of Public Prosecutions shall be prosecuting 92 persons for different offences ranging from arson, stealing, breaking into buildings, armed robbery and murder while the office has advised that 253 persons be released forthwith for non-disclosure of a prima facie case.

“In the meantime, two case files in respect of 16 persons have been advised for further investigation by the Police”.

The AG assured the public that “the Office of the Attorney General, Lagos State will ensure that those arrested by the police are treated in accordance with due process of law, while it remains committed to maintaining the rule of law and ensuring peace and order in the State.”