Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, has ordered the immediate release of three EndSARS protesters who were arrested in the state.
The police in Ogun State on Monday, October 12, charged the three #EndSARS protesters with attempted murder and vandalizing a Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle worth N100 million. The three protesters identified as Adeniji Sodiq (25), Mutairu Faruq (19), and Olatoye Joseph (23) were also accused of using dangerous weapons during the protest.
In the suit, marked M/SC/29/2020, the police preferred four charges against the protesters.
Some of the charges read
“That you, Adeniji Sodiq ‘m’, Mutairu Faruq ‘m’, Olatoye Olalekan Josep ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did attempt to kill one Ajagbusi Taofik ‘m’ by hitting him with dangerous weapons and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 320(1) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
That you, Adeniji Sodiq ‘m’, Mutairu Faruq ‘m’, Olatoye Olalekan Josep ‘m’ on the same date, time and place in the aforesaid magisterial district did unlawfully and maliciously damaged Lexus 570 Bullet proof 2019 model valued N100, 000, 000 property of one Alhaji Olabode Kacheef Oyedele ‘m’ and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State, 2006.”
The police had applied for an ex parte order to detain the three protesters for 60 days to allow them to investigate the case thoroughly. However, the court ordered that they be detained for 14 days.
In a post shared on social media, Governor Abiodun says he has directed the State Attorney General to drop all charges against the protesters and that they are to be released immediately.
His statement reads
”On my instruction, the Attorney General has reviewed the evidence in the investigation case file in respect of the three suspects that were remanded in a custodial centre on 12 October 2020.
Ogun State has decided not to charge them with any offence. They are to be released immediately.
#BuildingOurFutureTogether #ISEYA #EndSarsProtests”
