Published 22nd Oct, 2021

Moyinoluwa Olowoyo, a participant in last year’s #EndSARS protest in Ekiti State, remains in detention one year after.

Initially, the state government accused him of burning a police station in Ikere Ekiti on October 20, but now he is accused of destroying the vehicle of the state governor’s press crew on October 18.

Arrested on October 20, 2020, Olowoyo was “secretly snuck” to the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCID), Abuja, according to Olayemi, his younger brother.

With the help of activists, he was returned to Ekiti where he faced a three-count charge in a magistrate court.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Olowoyo Moyinoluwa Victor, and others still at large on October 20, 2020, at Ikere Ekiti in Ikere Ekiti magisterial district, did unlawfully set ablaze the building of the Nigeria Police station, Ikere Ekiti, thereby committing an offence punishable under Section 451 of the Criminal Code Cap C16 Laws of Ekiti State, 2012.”

After 30 days in detention, he was granted bail, but this was the start of his ordeal with the Ekiti State High Court, Ado-Ekiti.

Olowoyo now faces a two-count charge bordering on malicious damage and conspiracy.

Another count reads: “Moyinoluwa Victor Olowoyo with others at large on or about the 18th day of October, 2020, at Ado-Ekiti, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, did destroy the vehicle of the press crew of His Excellency, the Governor of Ekiti State.”

With the inconsistency in the allegations leveled against Moyinoluwa in both courts, Olayemi suspects his brother is being framed.

“We don’t know why they charged him to the high court again, framing him up for malicious damage and rioting,” he told FIJ. “They refused to grant him bail, and he was sent to prison until his next hearing in court.”

Olowoyo’s next court hearing is scheduled for November 27.

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