On Monday, reporters were barred from entering the courtroom where 52 individuals suspected of participating in anti-kidnapping demonstrations were scheduled for arraignment.
The suspects, apprehended over the weekend in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, consist largely of students from the state owned Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.
They arrived at Criminal Court II, Benin City, in a police van for their arraignment.
Security personnel at the court entrance enforced directives permitting only legal counsel inside. This restriction prevented journalists from reporting on the proceedings and informing the public about the case. The reason behind this decree remains unclear, stirring concerns regarding transparency and freedom of the press.
Presiding Judge Justice William Aziegbemi subsequently remanded the suspects at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre, following an ex parte motion presented to the court by P.O. Odion, a legal officer from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Police Headquarters, Benin City.
Justice Aziegbemi, who said he lacked jurisdiction to entertain the case, however, asked counsel to the defendants to file bail applications at the Ubiaja High Court.
He adjourned the case to February 26, 2026, for hearing.
Meanwhile, at the court sitting, emotional scenes unfolded as parents struggled to provide support to their children, who were being transported to Ubiaja prison after their hearing.
The distress was palpable as families attempted to offer water, food, and money to their children as they were led away.
The courtroom was filled with anguish as some parents were unable to contain their emotions when their children were taken to the Ubiaja Correctional Centre for remand.
The suspects, who pleaded not guilty, claimed they were abducted from their homes by security agencies, with some alleging nighttime arrests and others reporting abductions in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Several individuals stated they were apprehended while sleeping in their hostels around 3 a.m. and were immediately transferred to the Nigerian Police State Command headquarters in Benin City.
One man, Abdulsalam, reported that his two sons, who had no involvement in the protest, were among those arrested and brought to court. Another parent recounted that her son was arrested while taking his clothes to a laundry service.
It was gathered that the suspects were arrested at various locations in Ekpoma.
Also speaking, some counsel expressed shock that bogus charges of malicious damage and armed robbery were preferred against the suspects.
One of the counsel, Barr. Wisdom Isaac, opined that nobody made any complaints against the suspects.
