Aggrieved Nigerians across the country in October 2020 marched out in their numbers to protest against harassment and extra-judicial killings by operatives of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The protest attracted reaction from international communities, especially after men of the Nigerian Army allegedly opened fire on protesters at the Lekki tollgate on October 20.
According to SaharaReporters, some of the protesters that participated in the demonstration are still in prison across the country eight months after.
The charges preferred against them are conspiracy to commit the following felonies, to wit: arson, riotous assembly, stealing and malicious damage.
At the Surulere Prison in Ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo state, three persons namely Ayodele Bukunmi, Ojo Samuel and Ani Obinna have been in detention for the past eight months.
Kpanou Robbert, Aletile David, Peter John, Muri Garuba, Garfar Olalere, Sunday Okoro, Augustine Chukwudi, Lateef Segun, Yakubu Jimoh and Nasiru Danjumoh were arrested at different locations in Lagos after the October 2020 protests are at the Kirikiri Prison in Lagos.
Others in the prison facility include Adebayo Usman, Aderoju Theophilus, Ayobami Saheed, Akinyemi Bolaji, Olagoke Adewale, Ganiu Ambali, Seyi Awobola and Damola Leigh.
In Oyo state, Adesina Ayobami Ademuyiwa and 10 others that allegedly participated in the #EndSARS protest have been detained at the Correctional Centre in the state since last October, eight months ago.
It was learnt that human rights activists had drawn the attention of the Oyo State Government to the cases, but the government insisted that the prosecution is being undertaken by the Federal government.
Others being prosecuted by the government include Ikechukwu Eze, Ariyo Sodiq, Ikenna Amaechi, Oyewole Olumide, Ariyo Afeez, Taoreed Abiodun, Adekunle Moruf, Rasheed Tiamiyu.
This article was originally published on Nigeria News