During a High Court sitting in Abuja, Justice Bello Jawu has dismissed a suit filed by one Kenechukwu Okeke, a human rights activist, against Davido, Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, and 47 other celebrities and activists over their activities during the October 2020 protest to end SARS
The judgement delivered by the judge on Friday, July 2, 2021, and stopped the Nigeria Police Force and Okeke from taking further actions to prosecute the individuals for their role played during the protest to ENDSARS.
Criminal proceedings were filed by Okeke in November 2020 before a magistrate court in Abuja against the 50 persons over claims that they promoted the October 2020 #EndSARS protest. He alleged that the defendants acted in a manner “with intent to assist in the promotion of an unlawful assembly under the guise or composition of #EndSARS” in the suit.
Aisha Yesufu, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Tuface, Kanu Nwankwo, Davido, Banky W, Uche Jombo, Kiki Mordi, Falz, Yul Edochie, Flavour, Yemi Alade, Peter Okoye, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, Paul Okoye, Burna Boy, Modupe “Moe” Odele, and many more are some of the 50 names listed in the suit.
The stars had, filed a suit before a magistrate’s court, looking for the charges to be dismissed, while Okeke had filed a counter-motion looking for dismissal of their countersuit. The commissioner of police in FCT was ordered by the magistrate court in it’s ruling to investigate the defendants and report back to the court after a couple of weeks.
Justice Kawu rjudged that the suit filed by Deji Adeyanju in his representative capacity is unquestionable,that the high court is acting in its supervisory legat power over the magistrate’s court against the criminal proceedings Okeke filed.
Counsel for Adeyanju, Samuel Ihensekhien and 49 other #EndSARS protesters said the judgement shows that peaceful protest is legal and not a crime in Nigeria while reacting to the judgement.
“His motion of dismissal of this substantive case has been dismissed by the honourable FCT high court,”By virtue of today’s ruling, he said.
the court will hear the substantive application to formally dismiss the pending criminal complaint and charge before the magistrate’s court is The consequence of it .” he said
The case was shifted till September 7 by the court.
