Nigeria exempted as Trump bans citizens of 12 countries from entering US
Court orders investigation of prominent #EndSARS promoters
By Emmanuel Awosika
An Abuja Magistrate Court has ordered an investigation into 50 notable promoters of the recent #EndSARS protests in the country.
This comes after an activist, Kenechukwu Okeke, filed a criminal complaint accusing the defendants of promoting the #EndSARS protests which turned violent.
Okeke said he lost his properties in the violence that engulfed the #EndSARS protests, adding that those who supported the protests must face justice.
The Magistrate, Omolola Akindele, ordered the Commissioner of Police to conduct an investigation into the matter and submit a report in two weeks.
Defendants listed in the suit include Sam Adeyemi, Head Pastor at Daystar Christian Centre; artistes Damini “Burna Boy” Ogulu, David “Davido” Adeleke, Folarin “Falz Falana; and comedians Debo “Mr Macaroni” Adebayo and Maryam “Taooma” Akpokagi.
The list of defendants, which numbered 50 individuals, also has a former Director for Public Sector Reform, Dr. Joe Abah; investigative journalist, Kiki Mordi; and Nollywood actors, Yul Edochie and Uche Jombo.
Okeke, in his supporting affidavit, alleged that the listed defendants actively supported the #EndSARS protests which later turned violent.
“That the 1st to 50th accused persons between the 3rd day of October 2020 and the 28th day of October 2020, using Twitter, an Internet web source with URL https://www.twitter.com within the jurisdiction of this honourable court did conspire amongst themselves to commit misdemeanour, to wit, promoting and acting in such a manner, with intent to assist in the promotion of #EndSARS and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97(2) of the Penal Code Act, C53 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“Properties belonging to the complaint were egregiously destroyed by some riotous and tumultuous persons instigated and incited by the 1st to 50th accused persons,” it reads in part.
