Popular comedian Mr Macaroni and 34 other protesters arrested early on Saturday in Lekki area of Lagos should be freed immediately, the State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered, according to TVC.
Macaroni and the others were arrested and taken away by the Police after they tried to kick off the #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest against the reopening of the Lekki toll gate.
Police had earlier indicated that it will not allow the protest to hold.
They were subsequently taken away from the toll gate in a Black Maria and detained at Area J Police Command, Elemoro, Ibeju Lekki.
Their arrest sparks outrage on the social media with many calling for their release.
.Comedian, Mr Macaroni and other #OccupyLekkiTollgate protesters arraigned before a mobile court in Panti, granted N100, 000 bail , adjourned case till March 2nd 2021.
The court mandated them to present their certificate of COVID19
The protesters, including entertainer Debo Macaroni, were charged on Saturday evening for taking part in a demonstration against injustice at Lekki Toll Gate, scene of October 20, 2020, killing of protesters by armed Nigerian soldiers.
The protesters were taken to Panti, a police unit notorious for handling tough criminal cases. It was unclear why all the protesters, who have not been accused of any crime, were taken to the station in central Lagos’ suburb of Yaba.
Two lawyers working on the matter told journalists that the protesters were currently being arraigned before a mobile court system.
They are expected to be released after entering their respective pleas before the court, the lawyers said.
The arraignment comes hours after police commissioner Hakeem Odumosu said he had ordered the immediate release of the suspects.
Widespread condemnation has greeted the arrest of the protesters, with the Nigerian Bar Association reminding the Buhari administration of Nigerians’ fundamental rights to free assembly.
