Rights Groups Battle Customs Over Arrest Of 165 Suspects

The arrest of 165 suspects at Tin Can Island Port, Apapa, Lagos State, Southwest Nigeria by the officials of Nigeria Customs and Exercise for alleged of criminal offences has now taken another dimension as at least as at least 20 Lagos-based human right groups are now set to battle the customs in the various courts in the state.

The suspects were charged to both Federal High Court and magistrate’s for various offences.

The defendants were arrested at Tin Can terminals where they had gone for undisclosed business transaction.

Someof them told P.M.NEWS that they were innocent of the alleged offences and pleaded not guilty in court.

P.M.NEWS gathered that some notable human rights activists have indicated their interest to defend the suspects in various courts in Lagos State .

P.M.NEWS learnt that, Mr. Femi Falana, Festus Keyamo, Mike Ezekome, Eric Igweokoro and among others are set to defend the suspects.

P.M.NEWS learnt when the defendants were arrested and charged to various courts in Lagos, the group sent their representatives to defend them.

Now that the matter has been adjourned at the Federal High Court till 16 November, 2011, the activists have decided to appear in person for the suspects.

Customs officers raided Tin Can Island Port recently and arrested many people who were alleged to be suspected criminals. They were charged with various offences ranging from forgery, stealing and other alleged related criminal matters.

Though some of them have been released on bail, others are still languishing in Kirikiri Prison, Apapa, Lagos, because they could not fulfil their bail conditions.

—Cyriacus Izuekwe