Impact Stories
On December 17, 2019, Ahmed, Ojo, Sunday, Fatai, Abubakar, and Mumini fell victim to a series of raids conducted by SARS officials across various locations in Lagos. Approximately 40 people were arrested in these raids and taken to the police station, where they were each required to pay N10,000 to secure their bail. Those who could afford the bail were released, while the remaining 25, unable to meet the financial demand, were charged with belonging to an unlawful society.
The court granted bail but remanded them in custody. Out of the 25 charged, 19 managed to secure their release after considerable effort, leaving six behind in prison. The situation grew dire when those on bail failed to attend court, leaving the prosecutor unable to locate them. Consequently, the six men languished in prison, unable to afford legal representation.
In January 2021, a lawyer from Headfort Foundation’s “Lawyers Without Borders” project, stationed at the Ogba Magistrate Court mobile office, met them in the court cell and took on their case. Our lawyer presented a compelling argument demonstrating the lack of evidence against them, leading the court to strike out the charges on March 9, 2021.
After enduring 15 months of wrongful imprisonment at Kirikiri Correctional Centre, justice was finally served.
