₦airaland Forum

A Lagos-based legal advocacy team has secured the release of a man popularly identified as Citizen Gravel, who spent over three years at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre over allegations that were later dismissed by the court.

According to the legal team, Citizen Gravel was acquitted of all charges after it was established that he was wrongfully arrested and detained without proper investigation. His release followed sustained legal intervention after his case came to light during a routine prison decongestion visit last year.

The injustice reportedly began in 2023 when he refused to continue working for his employer without pay and subsequently resigned. Shortly after, his former employer accused him of stealing inverter batteries allegedly worth over ₦3 million. Based on the accusation, he was arrested and remanded in custody, where he remained for years without thorough investigation or trial.

It was during a prison outreach exercise that members of the legal team discovered his case and decided to take it up, eventually leading to his acquittal and release.

With this development, Citizen Gravel becomes the sixth inmate accused of theft and conspiracy whose freedom the team has secured this year alone, highlighting what they describe as a troubling pattern of wrongful detention driven by unverified allegations.

The legal team reaffirmed its commitment to challenging arrests, detentions, and prosecutions based solely on suspicion, retaliation, or social influence, stressing the need for due process and fairness within the justice system.

They expressed hope that his case will serve as a reminder of the importance of justice, accountability, and the protection of fundamental human rights in Nigeria.

Source: https://www.reportnaija.ng/2026/02/wrongfully-detained-man-regains-freedom.html?m=1

Who will compensate him for waiting three years of his life.

Freshandfitpod:
Who will compensate him for waiting three years of his life.

He should sue the former employer. This pure evil. A civil case with claims for substantial general damages

It’s a relief to hear that a wrongfully detained man has finally regained his freedom after three years in Ikoyi Prison. This case highlights the urgent need for justice system reforms, including faster trials, better investigation processes, and safeguards against prolonged detention without conviction. No one should waste years of their life behind bars for a case that should never have detained them in the first place.

All the same, congratulations to him on his freedom. May this new chapter bring healing, restoration, and better opportunities.

Aye o
3 years stolen from this guy's life
Omo!!

In a sane cline, they don't just regain freedom, but with compensation

Wow! People are wicked oo

compensate!!! maybe if he counter sue.

Freshandfitpod:
Who will compensate him for waiting three years of his life.

Oh my God! 😳
Wrongfully detained fort over 3 years over a crime he never committed? Denied of his Freedom and denied living with his family. I can only imagine what emotional breakpoint this man must have experienced. May God always order our steps and never allow us be led into such troubles that will torment us 🙏

It is better that ten guilty persons go free than that one innocent person suffer.

Thank God for him.

Those are the issues.

Nigeria happened to him just like many innocent Nigerians.

Sue the government

He can become a millionaire...

It's a sueing galore!
The ex-employer who accused him wrongly and the police who failed to investigate the case but chose to detained him beyond 48 hours without charging him to court.
He should claim 4.8 billion in general, mental, psychological, emotional, occupational, social, marital and physiological damages.
With a good lawyer, he'll get a few millions to start his life afresh.

This type of issue is rampant and nothing is been done about it. Until Nigerian legal system is seriously overhauled, it will continue to go on as a poor man can not afford to sue a company knowing that the case will drag for over 10 years

No more "presidential baked beans" until further notice.

I hope you said goodbye to your "governor?"

Nigeria juciary need referendum

The annoying part is the officers responsible for this illegal activities will not be prosecuted.
They just threw the guy in jail without evidence. May God guide us to Waka well always.

Freshandfitpod:
Who will compensate him for waiting three years of his life.

that is it in Nigeria. one thing is if has good lawyers they might press charges for compensation, who knows things might work in his favour.

muyico:
Nigeria juciary need referendum

this isn't about the judiciary, it is beyond the judiciary. this isn't about exonerating the judiciary but this basically falls in the jurisdiction of the Nigerian Police Force.

arresting people for no reason likewise prosecuting them unjustly. police do prosecute after such individual has been remanded, police prosecutor don't return to court.

this is the case of many that are there in our prisons languishing. they have no case against them hence nothing to pursue against them.

Something tells me he's not entirely innocent... Maybe the employer no just get power to continue the case

Just a haunch

May Nigeria Not Happen To Us.

Fxcked up judiciary system here though... And the police system too is a total joke too.

A fi ki Olorun saanu wa ni Nigeria yi oh. Ese Aimodi ati ki Iya aimodi ma je wa. A very terrible system that needs a total overhaul

If to say we have a working system, this dude would have been compensated millions of naira but no, Na big boss in useless agbada dey in corrupt government 😢 😑. With time they shall fade away.

You see our judiciary.

I no fit believe in them.....

After this senate electoral transmission something, I no fit rate them at all

Just don't be a victim of injustice in Nigeria.

Be circumspect at all times

Lifestone:
He should sue the former employer. This pure evil. A civil case with claims for substantial general damages

I think every police officer involved in the arrest and detention should be punished.
And the government should compensate him.

Only 3 years?
Doesn't deserve fp for just 3 years

The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is when the good men has refused to do nothing.

Which kain name be citizen gravel
Abi op is trying to hide his name...!
Anyway freedom at last

He should be compensated.

You can't wrongfully keep a man's behind bars for over 1000 days without compensation. It's not done anywhere in the world.

iamoyindamola:
Aye o
3 years stolen from this guy's life
Omo!!

Nothing stolen from him. Person go enjoy Free food you are there taking about stolen 3 years