Pascal Arogorn Ibe
A court in Nigeria ’ s capital , Abuja , on Monday discharged four out of six protesters arrested in November for demonstrating outside the National Assembly.
Last year , Africa ’ s most populous country was swept by weeks of widespread protests sparked by anger over brutality from the police’ s loathed Special Anti – Robbery Squad ( SARS ) .
The government disbanded the unit and pledged reforms but still struggled to contain the largest challenge to Nigeria ’ s governing elite in decades.
The six defendants were arrested on November 8, 2020 and charged with unlawful assembly .
Defence lawyer Henry Akwaji requested the case be dismissed because the prosecution team was absent from court on Monday .
The court agreed and dismissed the case due to a lack of diligent prosecution .
“ Defendants, Olutosin Adeniji, Abdusalam Zubarur, Paul Akinwumi, and Devour Chomo are discharged and the complaint against them dismissed, ” magistrate Musa Eneye ruled.
The remaining two , Yasidu Bashiru and Kabiru Garzali , were absent from court due to illness. The case against them was adjourned until March 24.
AFP
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