Journalists barred as court remands 52 over protest in Edo

Security agents on Monday barred journalists from entering the courtroom during the arraignment of 52 protesters at the Edo State High Court over a protest against killings and kidnapping in Ekpoma area of the state.

The security personnel said they were acting on an order to allow only lawyers into the courtroom for the proceedings.

The protest followed a demonstration by youths and students in Ekpoma on Saturday against killings and kidnapping in the area.

It was later hijacked by hoodlums who engaged in violence, vandalism and looting.

Daily Trust had reported how one person, identified as Osagie Abraham, 32, reportedly sustained a gunshot injury while scores of protesters were arrested after the protest.

The protesters, including students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, were remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre in Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

They were charged with offences including malicious damage and armed robbery, allegedly committed during the protest in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area.

The presiding judge, Justice Williams Aziegbemhin, said the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter and directed counsel to the defendants to file bail applications at the Ubiaja High Court.

He consequently ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to February 26, 2026, for hearing.

Counsel to the defendants expressed shock over what they described as bogus charges levelled against the protesters.

One of counsel, Barrister Wisdom Isaac, said no formal complaints were made against any of the defendants.

Some of the protesters told journalists that they were taken from their residences by security agents at night, while others said they were arrested early Sunday morning and taken to the state police command headquarters in Benin City.

Meanwhile, parents who were at the court premises wept openly as they struggled to pass water, food, drinks and money to the suspects before they were marched into a Black Maria and taken to Ubiaja.

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