Monthly Archives: June 2018

PRAI secured the discharge of these young men today before Hon. Justice Akintoye of the Lagos High Court after spending 3 years in prison for an offence punishable with 3 months imprisonment.

They were arrested in Ajah, Lagos State and handed over to men of Special Anti Robbery Squad(SARS) in May 2015. They were subsequently remanded in prison but their case file was not forwarded by the police to the office of the Director of Public Prosecution.
PRAI requested for a legal advice upon being aware of their predicament in 2017. When there was no response we filed an application  compelling the AG of Lagos to state why they should not be released, they were subsequently charged to court. Upon a perusal of the charge sheet we noticed they were charged for being disorderly persons which is punishable upon conviction with 3 months imprisonment. We filed an application asking the court to discharge them having spent 3 years in prison for an offence punishable with 3 months imprisonment.  In response to our application, the prosecution withdrew the charges against them and they were discharged.

PRAI…putting smiles on the faces of the downtrodden.

PRAI working together with the law firm of Ayinde Sanni & Co. successfully secured the discharge of Bukar Mustapha, Babagana Bulama and Hassan Abbagana who had spent 8 years in prison since their remand in May 2010.

The ruling of  the court paints the unfortunate  situation of  bedevilling the Administration of Criminal Justice in Nigeria. The Court held thus: “The information in this suit was filed on 20th February 2013, which is over 5 years till date. This criminal suit had gone through 2 brothers of mine before being assigned to me. Upon assignment, the Defendants retook their pleas and they all pleaded not guilty. This was on 30th November 2016. Thereafter, the criminal suit was fixed for trial. Today makes the 6th time the criminal suit is coming up for trial. On each occassion it came up for trial, the prosecution was not ready. Excuses for its non-readiness were given, I think at this point, the court should trigger the provision of Section 232 of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJ) Law. Section 35 and 36 of the constitution is in the mind of the court. Accordingly, this suit is struck out without merit. This is the Ruling of the Court. The Defendants are discharged.”