#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 Cit...