On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, Court 9 of the Ebutte-Meta Magisterial Division of Lagos State discharged community activist, Comrade Ishola Musbau Agbodemu, of the criminal charges slammed on him last year. Spaces for Change | S4C’s legal team provided free legal representation from the time of his arrest, detention, bail and throughout the trial that lasted nearly 12 months.
Ishola Agbodemu was charged with “breach of peace by offensive publication, publication of false news, and hateful statements” because of his Facebook posts lamenting and condemning forced evictions in Otto community in Lagos which displaced over 500 displaced residents. His arrest and the charges brought against him were not just an attack on Agbodemu to silence him, but also an attack on the freedom of expression and the civic space in Nigeria.
The case, which started on the 12th day of May 2024, faced multiple adjournments and delays from the prosecution. Based on S4C legal arguments, the court struck out the case for want of diligent prosecution. The decision of the trial court presents a triumph for civic freedoms, with far-reaching implications for fundamental rights and freedoms in Nigeria.
Through the successful conclusion of this case, S4C has fulfilled the promise made to Agbodemu and the Otto Community to support them to combat the forces that threaten the civic space. Together with the community, we say “victory at last!!!”
