Lekki Protest: Macaroni, 39 others freed on bail, trial adjourned

A Lagos mobile court in Yaba has granted bail to 40 protesters who took part in a campaign to block reopening of Lekki Toll Gate. 

A magistrate, granted the protesters, including entertainer Debo Macaroni, N100,000 bail after taking their no-guilty plea on Saturday evening.

The protesters were charged with government’s order not to protest and violating Covid-19 protocol set by the government. But they pleaded not guilty.

The police in Lagos said the protesters violated the coronavirus safety measures but had all nonetheless been released from detention. 

The police “arrested forty (40) suspects at Lekki Toll Gate plaza, Lagos State, on Saturday 13th February 2021, for conspiracy, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and violation of COVID-19 protocols.

“The suspects had gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate plaza creating tension and behaving in such a manner that could cause a breach of public peace without due regard for COVID-19 protocols major of which are the use of nose masks and social distancing.

“The command has however arraigned the suspects today to the mobile court at Panti, Yaba accordingly but were however granted bail by the court,” police spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi said in a statement.

The matter was adjourned until March 2.