Detained for months at Kirikiri Correctional Centre over a malicious and frivolous charge, our legal team at the Foundation for Digital Justice (FDJ), led by Francis Amobi, secured the release of Hakeem Azeez at a Lagos Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 13 October, 2026.
Hakeem Azeez was held for 7 months at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre over a malicious and frivolous charge. He was arrested in March, 2026, alongside others at his place of work for allegations of theft and diversion of funds. After visiting the police station on 11 March and being moved to Zone 2 on 16 March, Azeez was later remanded to Kirikiri Correctional Centre after appearing in court.
He maintained his innocence throughout, while affirmatively stating that the money alleged in the case was never in his account and that he had been manipulated into earlier payment arrangements that the complainant later rejected.
At FDJ we remain deeply concerned about the use of prolonged pre-trial detention and frivolous charges that strip ordinary Nigerians of their liberty.
We will continue to defend the fundamental rights of ordinary people whose liberty is threatened, both offline and online.
