Following the release of nine #EndSARS protesters detained since 2020, Amnesty International has demanded the release of others who remain in jail.
The international organization said investigation it carried out in October 2022 showed that more than 40 #EndSARS protesters were still languishing in Nigerian jails.
A Wednesday statement from its Country Director, Osai Ojigho, demanded information on the detained protesters, as well as an assessment of their lawyers and families.
In part it read: “Amnesty International welcomes the release on 10 January 2023 of Oyewole Olumide, Rasheed Tiamiyu, Moruf Adekunle, Taoreed Abiodun, Ikenna Amechi, Afeez Ariyo, Ikechukwu Eze and Adesina Ademuyiwa from detention at Agodi Correctional Facility Ibadan, Oyo State for participating in the #EndSARS protests in October 2020. The Oyo State Chief Judge ordered his discharge, acquittal and release.
“With this development, we also urge the Nigerian authorities to provide information on the status of other #EndSARS protesters detained in various prisons across the country, allow their families and lawyers access to them, charge them in court or release them from prison. arrest immediately. .
“As of October last year, our research shows that more than 40 #EndSARS protesters are still languishing in Nigerian jails.
“Those released yesterday were detained for more than two years and three months without trial at the Agodi Correctional Facility, having previously been detained at the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad unit of the Nigerian Force facilities in Ibadan and Abolongo Prison. in the city of Oyo.
“They were arrested on trumped-up charges ranging from robbery, arson, possession of illegal firearms, and murder.
“Amnesty International calls on the Nigerian authorities to also release: Ayodeji Oluwasegun, Andoh Immanuel, Yakubu Olayiwola, Olaogun Ismail, Uba Chukwuma, Dosunmu Taiwo, Daniel Joy-Igbo, Yusuf Rafiu, Olawale Marcus, Muyiwa Onikoyi, Shehu Anas, Suleman Saidu , Rasheed Wasiu Bolaji, Adigun Sodiq, Sunday Okoro, Akiniran Oyetakin, Ogidi Isah, Ibrahim Adesanya and Faruk Abdulquadri, #EndSARS protesters detained without trial in the Kirikiri medium security prison in Lagos since 2020.
“All detained protesters must be released immediately and unconditionally.
“The Nigerian authorities must urgently respect, protect, promote and fulfill the right to peaceful protest, including by publicly ordering law enforcement and security agencies to stop infringing on the rights to freedom of expression and assembly. peaceful”.
