Published 7th Jun, 2022

By Basit Jamiu

Akpos Akpos, a Lagos-based bus conductor who was arrested in 2018, has finally been released three years after erroneous detention.

According to Headfort Foundation, a prison reform organisation, Akpos’ arrest happened on October 19, 2018.

“Akpos was on his way to meet his driver when he saw people running helter-skelter, and he ran alongside to safety. However, he was caught by some members of OPC for being part of the gang that robbed the area,” the foundation said.

He was whisked away to the police station at Satellite Agboju, Lagos, and was transferred to the now defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) base in Ikeja for further action. He explained to the police that he was not a member of the gang, but they did not believe him.

“Akpos was arraigned in court in November 2018. He was later remanded at Kirikiri Medium Correctional Center without a bail option,” said Headfort.

In 2021, Eniola Omesehin, a lawyer at Headfort Foundation, met with Akpos. The effort of the foundation led to an immediate bail grant.

“In December last year, our lawyer was able to get his advice dated January 29, 2019 and he was to be tried at the magistrate court for the offence of ‘Neglect to prevent Felony’. The court saw that Akpos ought to have commenced trial in 2019 and immediately gave him bail on self-recognizance.”

Five months after the case was heard at the Magistrate Court, Headfort Foundation lawyer appealed to the court to drop the charges against Akpos.

“Our lawyer prayed to the court for the charge to be struck out. The court upheld the prayer of our lawyer and accordingly struck out the charge,” the foundation said.

Akpos was eventually discharged after spending three years in prison for committing no crime.

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