The trial of Sunday Okoro, a Lagos commercial driver who was arrested on December 22 after police officers spotted him in the background of a photo of thugs vandalising Orile Police Station during the October 2020 #EndSARS protest, has been scheduled for October 6.

According to Festus Ogun, the counsel to the defendant, the presiding judge made this decision when Okoro’s case was mentioned at Ogba Magistrate Court on Monday.

READ ALSO: 9 Months After Arrest Over #EndSARS Protest, Sunday Okoro Remains in Kirikiri Prison

“After a series of court appearances, Okoro’s trial has just been slated for October 6,” Ogun told FIJ. “The Police filed trumped-up charges relating to arson and others against him and we will be hearing the case soon.

“If the Police fail to appear before the court for the trial, we may have to apply for the case to be struck out.”

Okoro, alongside many others, was arrested at his residence in Orile over the allegation of vandalising the Orile Police Station during the 2020 #EndSARS nationwide protest. 

While some have been released on bail, Okoro has remained in Kirikiri Prison since March because his family lack the financial buoyancy to meet the conditions for his bail.

Lilian, Okoro’s wife, lost a baby she had through caesarean section while her husband was in prison.

READ ALSO: Ibukun Ayodele, Pregnant Teenager Arrested in Akure over #EndSARS, Suffers Miscarriage in Prison

Ogun expressed worries over the bail the conditions which are out of the poor family’s reach.

“They will need three sureties with tax clearance for the last three years. One of the three sureties must be blood-related to the detainee and that is where the issue lies.

“If Okoro had such people around him, he wouldn’t be staying this long in prison. So, as it stands, the only option is to win the case so that the innocent man can regain his freedom.”