The renewed #EndSARS demonstration in Abuja yesterday led to the arrest of six protesters among those that converged on the entrance of the National Assembly in Abuja. They were arraigned by the police and remanded by a Magistrate Court.
The protesters, who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly, were dispersed by the police, using tear gas and gunshots with six of them arrested.
The police arraigned them over criminal conspiracy, unlawful assembly, inciting public disturbance and public nuisance, but they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
A human rights lawyer, Tope Akinyode, who represented the accused persons, said the protesters were being held over “allegations of unlawful assembly and wanting to distort the societal peace.
“Of course, those are clearly trumped up charges because the protesters protested in accordance with the law.”
Akinyode said the magistrate refused to grant bail to the defendants when he moved an oral bail application, stating that the judge wanted the bail application done in writing.
Those arrested are Oluwatosin Adeniji, Paul Akinwumi, Davo Chom, Abdulsalam Zuberu and Kabiru Gasali.
In a video posted online, one of those affected, Adeniji said the matter had been adjourned till January 25, 2021.
Violence trailed the #EndSARS protest across the country, leading to loss of lives and destruction of property.