Many students of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, were among 52 persons remanded in prisons at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre for malicious damage and armed robbery by the Benin High Court.
The presiding Judge, Justice William Aziegbemi, who delivered the verdict on Monday, stated that he lacked jurisdiction and directed counsel for the defendants to submit bail applications with the Ubiaja High Court.
He also scheduled the case for a hearing on February 26, 2026.
P.O. Odion, the police attorney, filed an ex parte application to arraign the suspects.
After the verdict, families broke down in tears as the accused were carried into a Black Maria van.
A man named Abdulsalam, whose two sons were arrested, stated that his children did not participate in the rally.
Some lawyers for the suspects reported fake allegations of malicious damage and armed robbery, which were preferred against their client.
Wisdom Isaac stated that no one has filed any complaints against the suspects.
According to Ejemi Etinbowei, the demonstration was organized by the family of a kidnap victim found dead in the bush last Friday, not the students.
Many of the students claimed they were sleeping in their hostels when they were arrested at 3 a.m. and brought to Benin for arraignment in a Black Maria.
One of the students, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated, “Most of us were arrested early in the morning, around 3 a.m., while sleeping. I did not participate in the demonstration or looting.”
However, the zone has become enmeshed in a crisis when a nonviolent protest against insecurity on Saturday became violent.
Hoodlums hijacked the protest, attacked traders, and placed tires on the road to obstruct vehicular passage, all of which was filmed in a viral video.
They also attacked and vandalized the palace of Ekpoma’s Onojie, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, an act that Governor Monday Okpebholo condemned.
It was reported that the suspects were apprehended in various areas throughout Ekpoma.
