#EndSARS Protester Freed After Five Years in Detention as Court Strikes Out Case

 A young Nigerian man, arrested at the age of 17 during the October 2020 #EndSARS protests, has finally regained his freedom after spending over five years behind bars. The Lagos State High Court struck out the case on March 4, 2026, following an application by pro bono lawyers arguing lack of diligent prosecution and insufficient evidence.

The unnamed protester (reported in various sources as a teenager at the time of arrest) was detained amid the widespread demonstrations that demanded an end to police brutality, particularly by the now-dissolved Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). He faced multiple criminal charges, including allegations related to unlawful possession of firearms and other offenses, which authorities failed to substantiate over the years.

According to reports from Sahara Reporters and social media accounts sharing the development, the court’s decision came after prolonged detention without sufficient evidence or trial progress. Lawyers from organizations like Citizens' Gavel reportedly played a key role in securing his release, describing it as a victory against unjust incarceration.

This case echoes similar recent developments, including the March 2026 release of Rasheed Wasiu, another #EndSARS protester freed after nearly six years in detention when a Lagos court struck out his charges. Advocacy groups such as the Take It Back Movement (TIB) Lagos Chapter hailed Wasiu’s freedom as a milestone in their campaign for justice for those arrested during the protests.

The 2020 #EndSARS movement, which began peacefully but turned tragic with reported violence and deaths (including the Lekki Toll Gate incident), led to the dissolution of SARS. However, many participants faced prolonged detentions, arbitrary charges, and delayed justice. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have documented cases of protesters held for years without trial, often in facilities like Kirikiri and Ikoyi Correctional Centres.

While some protesters have been released over the years—such as groups freed in 2023 and 2024 after guilty pleas to reduced charges or lack of evidence—this latest case underscores ongoing concerns about accountability, compensation for victims, and reforms in Nigeria’s criminal justice system.

The released protester, now in his early 20s, reunites with family after losing much of his youth to detention. Advocates continue to call for the release of any remaining #EndSARS-related detainees and full implementation of judicial panel recommendations from 2020–2021.

This development serves as a reminder of the human cost of the struggle for police reform in Nigeria, even as the nation marks more than five years since the historic protests.