Kemisola Oye
MAGISTRATE B.O. Osunsanmi of a Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba earlier today cautioned and discharged six defendants including Daniel Joyinbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Usseni, Azeez Isiaka who were accused of causing breach of peace during the #EndSARS protests in October 2020.
Magistrate Osunsanmi cautioned and discharged the defendants of the one-count amended charge dated 22 August 2024 brought against them by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.
When the amended information was read to the defendant today (22 August 2024), they pleaded guilty.
The charge read:
“That you Daniel Joyinbo Joigbo, Adigun Sodiq, Kehinde Shola, Salaudeen Kamilu, Sodiq Usseni, Azeez Isiaka on the 23rd day of November 2020 at about 12:00hrs at Ebutte Metta, Lagos in the Lagos Magisterial District did conduct yourself in a manner likely to cause breach of peace and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 168(d) of the law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015”
Magistrate Osunsanmi enquired from the defendants whether they understood the content of their guilty plea and the obligation of the court to hand out the maximum sentence on the charge.
The defendants affirmed their plea of guilty to charge.
The prosecution counsel and Director of Lagos State Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr Babajide Martins, urged the court to sentence the defendants in accordance with their guilty plea agreement dated 22 August 2024.
The defendants’ counsel, T.D Ojeshina, pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
“My lord, I plead with the court to temper justice with mercy as the defendants are first-time offenders, some are breadwinners of their families and still young in age. They have spent over four years in custody. They have been in custody since 2020. They have suffered and learnt their lessons”
Magistrate Osunsanmi, having found the defendants guilty and aware that they have spent over four years in custody, cautioned and discharged them.
Editor’s Note: Displayed picture is for illustrative purposes only
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