Inside Details: Why Dapo Abiodun Quickly Ordered Release Of Protesters Remanded In Prison Custody, Charges Against Them Dropped

Charles Oyelesi

On October Sunday, October 11, 2020, The Governor of Ogun State Dapo Abiodun asserted that ‘’…On my instruction to the Commissioner of Police, however, detained protest organisers have been released just now, while only those apprehended while directly committing the acts of vandalism will be investigated.’’

Societynow.ng gathered that this development resulted in the arraignment of three protesters at an Isabo magistrate court Abeokuta on Monday, October 12, 2020, and their remand in prison custody pending the fulfillment of bail conditions.

The happenstance reportedly generated massive reaction that threatened to spiral into another huge protest for their release as talks of the remand of the protesters took the color of alleged conviction for protesting against SARS.

Societynow.ng gathered that 30 protesters were arrested in the protest against SARS which rocked Abeokuta on Saturday, October 10, 2020.

27 protesters were released on the order of Governor Abiodun while based on the coating of the Governor’s order that ‘’ only those apprehended while directly committing the acts of vandalism will be investigated’’, 3 protesters found themselves in prison custody pending meeting bail conditions.

Insiders disclosed that the convictions fueling the growing agitation against the remand of the three protesters took the shape of an attempt by the state to ‘’use them as a sample of what happens to those that go against the government’’ as talks of their situation gain ground.

‘’But the governor acting on intelligence report quickly moved to diffuse the situation by dropping the charges against them and ordering their unconditional release from custody.

The governor took steps to make the decision public with the post that reads ‘’ On my instruction, the Attorney General has reviewed the evidence in the investigation case file in respect of the three suspects that were remanded in a custodial centre on 12 October 2020.

Ogun State has decided not to charge them with any offence.

They are to be released immediately.’’

Societynow.ng gathered that the aim is to quickly take the wind out of the brewing fresh protest before things turn uglier.