He wasn’t guilty but delays left this man jailed for five years without trial

The Protests and Arrest

In October 2020, Rasheed Wasiu, then 17, found himself at the center of a legal storm after ignoring his mother’s plea to stay indoors during the End Sars demonstrations. These protests, which swept through Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, were fueled by public outrage against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (Sars), accused of violent acts against civilians. Security forces responded with force, escalating tensions as violence spread across the city.

Rasheed and a friend were heading to a painting job in Amukoko when they learned of clashes in the area. Turning back, he ventured out again despite his mother’s warnings. Members of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC), a local vigilante group, seized him during their raids, charging him with unlawful possession of firearms. Though he claimed no involvement in the protests, his case languished in limbo for nearly six years.

A System in Stasis

During his detention, Rasheed endured overcrowded conditions and inadequate facilities. “Jail is hell if you don’t have money,” he told the BBC, wearing worn-out clothes and slippers. “The food is miserable; we get weak after eating. They locked up to 70 people in a tiny room at a time.” A young man died in his cell, his leg swelling without diagnosis or aid.

He survived by taking on menial tasks, such as washing clothes for inmates or selling items like cow skin (“ponmo”) and baked snacks. Yet, months passed without his case being addressed. On rare occasions, he was taken to court, only to be overlooked. One of his lawyers even passed away while he was incarcerated, highlighting the systemic neglect.

Advocacy and Release

A breakthrough came after a hearing last month, when a Lagos high court judge dismissed his charges due to insufficient evidence. This decision followed the intervention of the Take It Back Movement (TIB), which offers free legal support and campaigns for the release of protest detainees. “This development reinforces our belief that persistence and solidarity yield results,” said TIB’s Lagos coordinator, Adekunle Taofeek.

Nigeria’s prison authorities report that around 50,000 individuals are currently in custody awaiting trial, making up 64% of the total prison population. Human rights groups note that Rasheed’s case is emblematic of widespread detention without conviction. TIB has successfully secured the freedom of 100 people since the protests began, shedding light on the challenges faced by those caught in the crossfire of political unrest.