After an 11-year confinement without trial, Sergeant Emmanuel Uyanweke, a former officer with the Ojo Police Division in Lagos State, was granted his freedom on October 24, 2024. His release came after a lengthy legal battle led by the Foundation for Public Interest Law and Development (FPIL&D), which brought his case before the Lagos State High Court.
Hon. Justice Ibironke Harrison, presiding over the case at the Tafawa Balewa Square complex, dismissed the charges against Uyanweke, citing the lack of diligent prosecution as the primary reason. Uyanweke’s legal counsel, Yusuf Nurudeen, who also serves as the Executive Director of FPIL&D, highlighted that despite the extended period of detention, the prosecution failed to present any concrete evidence against his client.
Uyanweke’s ordeal began on August 18, 2013, when he was taken into custody for allegedly causing the death of Adams Bello in Okomaiko, Lagos. Initially detained without formal charges, he was remanded by a Magistrate Court in Ebute Meta in March 2015. It wasn’t until February 2018 that he was formally arraigned on a single count of involuntary manslaughter before Hon. Justice Akintoye. Yet, over the next decade, the prosecution was unable to produce any of the ten witnesses cited in the case.
Nurudeen argued that the prosecution’s failure to produce evidence effectively deprived Uyanweke of justice. He based his argument on Sections 35(4) and 36(4) of the Constitution, as well as Section 232 of the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (amended 2021). Emphasizing the unlawful nature of his client’s prolonged detention, Nurudeen urged the court to dismiss the charges due to the lack of diligent prosecution.
During the proceedings, prosecution counsel I.A. Erikitola admitted the witnesses were unavailable and left the decision to the court’s discretion. Hon. Justice Harrison agreed with the defense’s arguments, dismissing the manslaughter charge and ordering Uyanweke’s release.
Following the court’s decision, Nurudeen remarked, “The case of Sergeant Uyanweke highlights the need for a judicial system that prioritizes timely prosecution and reforms to prevent excessive detentions without trial.” He further stated that his organization, The Pro Bono Centre, remains committed to advocating for judicial and human rights reforms, helping connect underserved individuals with volunteer lawyers for pro bono services.
This isn’t the first time FPIL&D has championed such cases. In November of last year, they facilitated the release of Enejo Gabriel, who had been detained for a decade. Earlier in 2023, they secured the freedom of Muideen Bilau, who had spent nine years in the Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre.
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