Outrage has trailed the remand of 52 alleged protesters by a Benin High Court on Monday which ordered that the 52 suspects be remanded at Ubiaja Correctional Centre over last Saturday’s protest in Ekpoma, Esan-West LGA, Edo.
Police denied journalists to the court room even as some lawyers wondered at the charges filed against the protesters, ranging from malicious damage to armed robbery.
Some Ambrose Alli University students were among those arrested and remanded following the violent protest in Ekpoma.
The suspects were arraigned through an exparte motion filed by Police Counsel, Polycap Odion, but journalists were denied access to the courtroom.
Presiding Judge, Justice Williams Aziegbemi, said he lacked jurisdiction and advised defence lawyers to file bail applications at Ubiaja High Court.
He remanded the suspects to Ubiaja Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to Feb. 26 for hearing.
Edo Police spokesman Eno Ikoedem said the suspects were arrested for engaging in violent protest.
Many defendants claimed they were abducted from their homes overnight or early Sunday morning and taken directly to the Police command in Benin.
A man, Abdulsalam, said his two sons never participated in the protest, while a mother said her son was taking clothes to a dry cleaner.
Some lawyers expressed shock that charges of malicious damage and armed robbery were filed against the suspects.
Counsel, Wisdom Isaac, said: “Nobody made complaints against the suspects, yet they are arraigned and remanded.”
