In a surprising turn of events, the Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court has discharged and acquitted six men who were accused of breaching the public peace during the 2020 #EndSARS protest.
The defendants, who had spent almost four years in custody, were initially found guilty and convicted of the offence.
However, the magistrate, Bola Osunsanmi, decided to caution and discharge them, taking into account their plea bargain agreement and the fact that they had already spent a lot of time in custody.
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The defendants, Daniel Joyinbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Usseni, and Azeez Isiaka, had pleaded guilty to a count charge of breach of the public peace preferred against them by the Lagos government.
Reports disclosed that the Director for Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, had urged the court to sentence the defendants based on their plea.
However, their legal representative, T.D Ojeshino, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy, adding that the defendants were first-time offenders, breadwinners of their families, and still young.
In a display of judicial discretion, the magistrate decided to discharge and acquit the defendants, bringing an end to their prolonged legal ordeal.
