Nigerian comedian, Mr Macaroni, who was earlier arrested for his involvement in the #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest, has been granted bail.
The comedian alongside 39 other protesters were granted bail in the sum of N100,000 each, after they were arraigned for flouting the COVID-19 protocol on public gatherings, and “breaking an order not to protest.”
This was revealed in a statement by Muyiwa Adejobi, Spokesman for the Lagos state Police Command.
He said, “The command has arrested forty (40) suspects at Lekki Toll Gate plaza, Lagos State, on Saturday 13th February, 2021, for conspiracy, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and violation of COVID-19 protocols.
“The suspects had gathered at the Lekki Toll Gate plaza creating tension. And behaving in such a manner that could cause breach of public peace without due regard for COVID-19 protocols major of which are use of nose masks and social distancing.
“The command has, however, arraigned the suspects today to the mobile court at Panti; Yaba accordingly but were however granted bail by the court. They will appear in court on the next date of adjournment, 2nd March, 2021, with the certificate of COVID-19 test.
“The command therefore assured the general public that it will always discharge its statutory duties as expected within the ambit of the law, while appealing to Lagosians to be law-abiding and go about their lawful businesses.”
A viral video shared online had shown the dehumanising condition Mr Macaroni and others were subjected to; leading to a widespread criticism from Nigerian celebrities.
Singer Falz had joined hosts of others to condemn the arrests of the protesters.
He tweeted: “The Nigerian government has shown by this senseless act that it is not concerned with upholding our democracy or the rule of law.
“They are basically showing that they are not interested in serving justice as regards the 20th of October incident.”
In the same vein, Charly Boy said: “I know these animals have turned Nigeria into a Jungle. But peaceful protest is still our human right. Animals can’t dash us human right. Say no to #lekkitollgate reopening.”