•Defense Claims Protest Was Organized by Grieving Families, Not Students
••AAU Students Among 52 Remanded Following Violent Anti-Kidnapping Protest
Fifty-two suspects, including several students from Ambrose Alli University, were arraigned yesterday at the Benin High Court in connection with last Saturday’s violent protest in Ekpoma.
The arraignment followed an Exparte Motion filed by Police Counsel P.O. Odion. However, Presiding Judge Justice William Aziegbemi ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter and directed the defence counsel to seek bail at the Ubiaja High Court.
Consequently, the judge ordered the suspects’ remand at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre and adjourned the case to February 26, 2026, for further hearing.
Edo State Police spokesperson Eno Ikoedem confirmed the arrest of the suspects for their participation in a violent protest. Meanwhile, some defence lawyers have dismissed the charges as unfounded, alleging they include malicious damage and armed robbery, claims they say are baseless.
Wisdom Isaac, representing some of the accused, stated, “No complaints have been made against the suspects.”
Another defence lawyer, Ejemi Etinbowei, clarified that the protest was not organised by the students but by family members of a kidnap victim who was later found dead.
Reports indicate that the suspects were apprehended at different locations in Ekpoma, many while sleeping in their hostels around 3 a.m.
They were transported in a black Maria van to the Edo State High Court, where anxious relatives gathered outside, visibly distressed.
Abdulsalam, whose two sons are among the detained suspects, denied their involvement in the protest, maintaining their innocence.
Emotions ran high as some relatives broke down in tears while the suspects were being led into the transport van.
