By Stephen Simon
A Lagos teenager has regained his freedom after spending nearly four years in custody following his arrest in 2022 over an allegation that he wore slippers similar to those belonging to a complainant.
The teenager, whose identity was withheld, was among two detainees whose cases were discovered by the legal team of Citizens Gavel during a visit to the Medium Security Correctional Centre in January 2024. According to the organisation, the two men had been in custody since 2022 without being taken to court.
Citizens Gavel subsequently took up their cases and began following the proceedings through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Its legal team first appeared before Justice Coker in March 2024 and attended more than seven proceedings, but the prosecution reportedly failed to produce a single witness despite several adjournments.
The matter was later transferred to the court of Justice Oshodi, where the defendants were eventually arraigned and pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. At the conclusion of the prosecution’s case, Citizens Gavel filed a No Case Submission, arguing that the evidence presented was insufficient to require the defendants to enter a defence.
The court upheld the submission and discharged and acquitted both men, bringing an end to their prolonged detention. Citizens Gavel said neither defendant had a family member or another lawyer appearing in court on his behalf throughout the period they remained in custody.
The organisation described the outcome as a significant victory and said the case highlighted the consequences of prolonged pre-trial detention, particularly for people without access to legal representation. It stressed the importance of legal assistance in ensuring that detainees are brought before the courts and that their cases are properly determined.
The case has also drawn attention to the wider problem of prolonged detention without trial and the vulnerability of detainees who lack family support or legal representation. Citizens Gavel said continued legal intervention was necessary to prevent people from remaining in custody for years without their cases being effectively prosecuted or resolved.
