A Benin High Court has ordered the remand of 52 persons, including students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, Edo State, at the Ubiaja Correctional Centre over allegations of malicious damage and armed robbery linked to a recent protest in the area.
The presiding judge, Justice William Aziegbemi, on Monday ruled that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter and directed counsel to the defendants to file bail applications at the Ubiaja High Court.
He subsequently adjourned the case until February 26, 2026, for further hearing.
The suspects were arraigned following an ex parte motion filed by the police counsel, P.O. Odion.
After the ruling, emotional scenes were witnessed in court as relatives of the accused broke down in tears while the suspects were taken away in a prison van.
Speaking to journalists, a parent, Abdulsalam, whose two sons were among those arrested, insisted that his children did not take part in the protest.
Defence lawyers also faulted the charges, describing them as unfounded.
Counsel Wisdom Isaac said no formal complaints had been made against the defendants, while another lawyer, Ejemi Etinbowei, argued that the protest was not organised by the students but by relatives of a kidnapping victim whose body was discovered in a nearby bush last Friday.
Several of the students claimed they were arrested in the early hours of the morning while asleep in their hostels.
One student, who spoke anonymously, said most of those arrested were picked up around 3am and transported to Benin for arraignment despite not participating in the protest or any looting.
The area has remained tense following a demonstration against rising insecurity that initially began peacefully on Saturday but later turned violent.
Hoodlums reportedly hijacked the protest, attacked traders, blocked roads with burning tyres and vandalised the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II.
The incident was captured in viral videos and later condemned by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
It was gathered that the suspects were arrested from different locations across Ekpoma in connection with the unrest.
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