Impact Stories
Nura, a 22-year-old from Sokoto State, relocated to Lagos in 2018 to work with his entrepreneurial uncle. Financial difficulties prevented him from pursuing formal education, so he learned to ride a motorcycle instead. By 2019, Nura was using his cousin's motorcycle to transport passengers around Lagos due to his inability to afford his own.
On October 24, 2019, while his cousin was on a lunch break, he lent Nura the motorcycle but warned him about recent police conflicts with riders on Ilasa Road. Nura took the advice and began his day. After picking up his first passenger, a second customer approached him for a ride to Five Star. During the fare negotiation, two men forcefully removed Nura from the motorcycle, assaulted him, and dragged him into a van, which then continued to collect other riders. They were eventually taken to a police station, where those with money managed to secure their release on bail.
Nura's family struggled to raise the bail money. As the primary supporter of his family, Nura had been sending his earnings home before his arrest. The case was stalled for much of 2020 due to court closures caused by the pandemic.
On January 20, 2021, Nura's situation improved when he met a lawyer from the Headfort Foundation at the Ogba Magistrate Court as part of the "Lawyers Without Borders" project. The lawyer reviewed his case, conducted a court search, and ensured that the case was scheduled for a hearing once the judicial strike ended. It was discovered that several defendants had skipped bail, further delaying the proceedings.
By June 29, 2021, the lawyer pointed out that the prosecution had failed to present witnesses or build a credible case against Nura. An application for the dismissal of the charges was filed, and the court granted it, leading to Nura’s discharge.
Unfortunately, Nura spent twenty months in detention before being released. His story highlights the essential role of legal support and advocacy in combating systemic injustices and ensuring that individuals like Nura receive the justice they deserve.
