A magistrate’s court in Abuja has ordered Bala Ciroma, the commissioner of police in the federal capital territory (FCT), to investigate 50 persons who allegedly promoted the #EndSARS protests.
Omolola Akindele, the magistrate, gave the order in a letter to the police commissioner following the criminal suit filed by Kenechukwu Okeke, a human rights activist.
Okeke had 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”.
He alleged that the defendants used Twitter to instigate “some riotous and tumultuous persons” who destroyed his property, adding that they must be brought to justice.
The magistrate gave the police two weeks to investigate the matter and give a report for “proper adjudication”.
“I am directed by the Presiding Chief Magistrate II, his worship, Hon. Omolola Tolulope Akindele, sitting at Chief Magistrate Court 2, Wuse Zone 6, FCT Abuja, to write to your office to investigate the above-mentioned case and report back within two weeks for proper adjudication of the case,” the letter, written by the court registrar, read.
Some of the persons listed as defendants are Sam Adeyemi, senior pastor of Daystar Christian Centre; Aisha Yesufu; Kanu Nwankwo; Joe Abah; Kiki Mordi; Feyikemi Abudu and Damini Ogulu (Burna Boy).
Others include David Adeleke (Davido); Folarin Falana (Falz); Debo Adebayo (Mr Macaroni) Maryam Apaokagi; Peter and Paul Okoye; Innocent Idibia; Bankole Wellington, Tiwa Savage, Michael Ajereh; Ayo Balogun (Wizkid), Ayo Sogunro and Deji Adeyanju.
The federal government has been accused of clamping down on some of the promoters of the protests since the demonstrations were halted.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had secured a court order to freeze the bank accounts of some of the #EndSARS promoters.
