For Standing Up for Friend Oppressed by Police, Electrician Spends 5 Months in Prison

Headfort Foundation, a Nigerian prison reform initiative, has narrated how Elijah Owolabi, a Lagos-based electrician, and Adekola Gafar, a transport union worker in Lagos, spent five months and one year in Ikoyi Prison respectively.

In a tweet dated June 27, Headfort said Gafar’s trouble started in January 2021 when he arrived late at the park where he was assigned to sell tickets and issue fines to heavy-duty trucks.

Headfort said that when Gafar got to the park, he met a heavy-duty truck on arrival. The organisation said he requested the usual fine from the driver but the latter refused to pay because he had given the police N50,000.

“Gafar immediately went to meet the police officer to get his share of the money paid by the driver. The officers refused to split the money and fighting ensued between the police officers and Gafar,” Headfort said.

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Headfort said that Gafar called Elijah, who rushed down to the scene, but the police soon arrested him.

The foundation said the police asked Elijah who he was to Gafar and he said he was his friend. According to Headfort, the police arrested Elijah based on his response.

Headfort said the duo spent two months in SARS’ custody before they were charged with the offences of an attempt to rob, being a menace to the public and assault of a police officer.

The organisation said the court granted the duo bail but they could not perfect it for several months.

Headfort stated that in October 2021, the duo met one of its lawyers, Eniola Omosehin, who took their brief and represented them pro bono.

“The officers refused to show up in court after several opportunities were given to them. The court granted the application of our lawyer and struck out the charges against them,” Headfort said.

“Before they perfected their bail, Elijah spent five months while Gafar spent a year in custody.”