A Lagos teenager who was arrested and detained in 2022 over a case involving slippers similar to those worn by a complainant has regained his freedom after spending nearly four years in custody.
The teenager, whose identity was not disclosed, was among two defendants whose cases were taken up by Citizens Gavel after its legal team discovered them during a visit to the Medium Security Correctional Centre in Lagos in January 2024.
According to Citizens Gavel, the teenager had allegedly been arrested because the slippers he wore resembled those belonging to the complainant. The organisation said that despite his arrest and prolonged detention, he had not been taken to court when its lawyers discovered the case.
The legal team subsequently began tracking the matter through the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and appeared before Justice Coker several times. However, the prosecution reportedly failed to produce a single witness despite repeated adjournments.
The case was later transferred to the court of Justice Oshodi, where the charges were read to the defendants in March 2025. They pleaded not guilty.
After the prosecution closed its case, Citizens Gavel filed a No Case Submission, arguing that insufficient evidence had been presented against the defendants.
The court upheld the submission and discharged and acquitted both men, paving the way for their release after nearly four years in custody.
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