According to the Headfort Foundation for Justice, which secured his release, Lawal’s arrest was marked by significant procedural flaws.
Dare Lawal, a 35-year-old vulcaniser and motorcycle rider from Ogun State, was released from police after spending two months in detention under questionable circumstances.
According to the Headfort Foundation for Justice, which secured his release, Lawal’s arrest was marked by significant procedural flaws.
“On 2 May 2024, Lawal was en route to his friend’s house in Eleweran, Abeokuta, when he was intercepted by police officers.
“They took him to the station and questioned him about a person named “Mighty,” his possible connection to this individual, and any affiliations with cult groups.”
Lawal denied any such connections, and “a search of his belongings turned up no incriminating evidence”.
Despite this, Lawal was charged on 13 May 2024 with conspiracy to commit a crime, belonging to an unlawful society, and breach of peace, alongside two individuals he had never met.
The bail conditions, set at 500,000 naira, required a licensed bondsman, but Lawal was unable to meet these due to financial constraints and the confiscation of his phone, which hindered his family’s efforts to assist.
“At the station, Dare was asked a series of questions if he knew any person called “Mighty”, if he had ever carried such a person as a passenger, and if he was a member of any cult group to which he responded in the negative”.
On 5 July 2024, Lawal’s lawyer successfully petitioned the court to dismiss the charges, citing the lack of evidence against him. The court agreed and struck out the charges after reviewing the case.
The group urged the Nigeria Police Force to ensure that prosecutions are based on solid evidence rather than speculation to prevent wrongful convictions of innocent citizens.
Leave a Reply