How Anti-Buhari Protesters Were ‘Secretly Arraigned’ In Kogi Magistrate Court

Anene Victor and Emmanuel Larry, two men who were arrested for
protesting against President Muhammadu Buhari in Kogi, have been
secretly arraigned before a magistrate court in Lokoja, the state
capital.

In a viral video on Monday, the duo, who were holding “Buhari
must go” posters, were seen being flogged by youths for their
demonstration.

Benjamin Omeiza, lawyer to the two men, who spoke with TheCable
on Friday, said his clients were arraigned on Tuesday at the
magistrate court 1, Lokoja (popularly called Lugard court), on
charges bordering on treasonable felony and inciting public
unrest.

Omeiza said the magistrate had signed a remand order in his
office owing to the nationwide strike by the Judicial Staff Union
of Nigeria (JUSUN).

“One of the police officers at the A Division reliably informed
me that they were taken and arraigned before a magistrate in his
office who signed a remand warrant,” he said.

“At a time when the judiciary is on strike, a magistrate is
entertaining a case he has no jurisdiction over and then remanding
suspects over a bailable allegation.”

Aggrieved, the lawyer said he tried to get in contact with the
Kogi state commissioner of police, but was later directed to see
the officer in charge of the legal department at the command
headquarters.

“I registered my grievances before her and she confirmed that
they were remanded on Tuesday,” the lawyer said.

“When I asked of the name of the magistrate before whom my
clients were arraigned, she said she didn’t have that information
for me.

“I asked for the next adjourned date and the case file of my
clients, but she said she didn’t have that information and that if
I need them, I should go to the correctional centre and ask my
clients.

“On Thursday, some group of activists went to the correctional
facility and confirmed that the accused persons were in
detention.”

He said his clients also confirmed to them that they were
arraigned in the office of a magistrate.

He added that Femi Falana, human rights lawyer to whom he had
submitted his report, also confirmed from the police commissioner
that the two men are in prison custody.

Anene Victor and Emmanuel Larry, two men who were arrested for
protesting against President Muhammadu Buhari in Kogi, have been
secretly arraigned before a magistrate court in Lokoja, the state
capital.

In a viral video on Monday, the duo, who were holding “Buhari
must go” posters, were seen being flogged by youths for their
demonstration.

Benjamin Omeiza, lawyer to the two men, who spoke with TheCable
on Friday, said his clients were arraigned on Tuesday at the
magistrate court 1, Lokoja (popularly called Lugard court), on
charges bordering on treasonable felony and inciting public
unrest.

Omeiza said the magistrate had signed a remand order in his
office owing to the nationwide strike by the Judicial Staff Union
of Nigeria (JUSUN).

“One of the police officers at the A Division reliably informed
me that they were taken and arraigned before a magistrate in his
office who signed a remand warrant,” he said.

“At a time when the judiciary is on strike, a magistrate is
entertaining a case he has no jurisdiction over and then remanding
suspects over a bailable allegation.”

Aggrieved, the lawyer said he tried to get in contact with the
Kogi state commissioner of police, but was later directed to see
the officer in charge of the legal department at the command
headquarters.

“I registered my grievances before her and she confirmed that
they were remanded on Tuesday,” the lawyer said.

“When I asked of the name of the magistrate before whom my
clients were arraigned, she said she didn’t have that information
for me.

“I asked for the next adjourned date and the case file of my
clients, but she said she didn’t have that information and that if
I need them, I should go to the correctional centre and ask my
clients.

“On Thursday, some group of activists went to the correctional
facility and confirmed that the accused persons were in
detention.”

He said his clients also confirmed to them that they were
arraigned in the office of a magistrate.

He added that Femi Falana, human rights lawyer to whom he had
submitted his report, also confirmed from the police commissioner
that the two men are in prison custody.