Amnesty International has reported that fifteen protesters arrested during the #EndSARS demonstrations in 2020 are still languishing in arbitrary detention three years later. According to the International Human Rights Organization, the majority of these protesters are held in Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre and Ikoyi Medium Security Correctional Centre in Lagos, all without being brought to trial.
The Nigerian authorities are accused of leveling a series of unfounded charges against the protesters, including theft, arson, unlawful possession of firearms, and even murder. This has raised serious questions about the due process and fair treatment of these individuals.
Isa Sanusi, the Director of Amnesty International Nigeria, expressed his dismay, stating, “Our investigation shows the Nigerian authorities’ utter disdain for human rights. Three years in detention without trial is a travesty of justice. This shows the authorities’ contempt for due process of law. The protesters must be immediately and unconditionally released.”
Among those arbitrarily held at Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre are Daniel Joy-Igbo, Sodiq Adigun, Sunday Okoro, Olumide Fatai, Oluwole Isa, Shehu Anas, and Akiniran Oyetakin. Amnesty International also highlighted the detention of eight more protesters, Segun Adeniyi, Onuorah Odih, Jeremiah Lucky, Gideon Ikwujomah, Irinyemi Olorunwanbe, Quadri Azeez, Olamide Lekan, and Sadiq Riliwan, in Ikoyi Medium Security Correctional Centre since 2020.
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One of those unjustly detained, Daniel Joy-Igbo, a citizen of Benin, recounted his harrowing experience, revealing that he had been held at various police facilities since his arrest in October 2020. “Since my arraignment in December 2020, I have been locked up in the prison without trial. Since then, there has been no adjourned date for my case. I have not been taken to court since December 2020,” he lamented.
Sodiq Adigun, also arrested in October 2020, echoed similar sentiments, pleading, “Let the government release me. I have been detained since 2020 without trial. I am innocent. My life has been shattered. I need my liberty.”
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