The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has freed four police officers and a property developer, Abiodun Ariori, accused of killing six traders in the Owode Onirin area of Kosofe, following legal advice that the officers acted in self-defence.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the suspects were discharged after the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, in a legal opinion dated March 3, 2026, ruled that there was no prima facie case to support charges of manslaughter.
The Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, in the advice, faulted the police investigation, citing insufficient evidence linking the suspects to the deaths of the victims.
The deceased traders—Adeoye Taiwo, Akinloye Seyi, Wale Adebayo, Abraham Idowu, Dare Salaudeen and Adeoye Akeem—were reportedly shot during a violent confrontation that erupted when the policemen attempted to enforce a disputed land possession on behalf of a Lagos family.
The officers—identified as Musa Bala, Ahmed Abass, Ibrahim Kasimu and Ibrahim Garba—were said to have been brought from Nasarawa State by Ariori, who allegedly acted as an agent to the landowning family.
According to the DPP, the officers came under attack from a mob during the operation, with one of them reportedly injured and dispossessed of his rifle.
Martins noted that critical forensic evidence was missing from the case file, including autopsy reports, ballistic analysis, and examination of the firearms used, making it impossible to establish the cause of death or directly link the suspects to the killings.
“From the available facts, there is no positive evidence to prove that the suspects are responsible for the deaths,” the DPP stated, adding that Ariori was not present at the scene during the incident.
However, the decision has sparked controversy within the Nigeria Police Force, with the State Criminal Investigation Department insisting that sufficient evidence exists to prosecute the suspects.
In a letter dated March 5, 2026, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, Dayo Akinbisehin, said autopsy reports from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and ballistic findings from the Force Criminal Investigation Department indicted the suspects.
Akinbisehin urged the DPP to review the advice, stressing that the evidence established culpability and that the case was strong enough to secure conviction in court.
“It is evident from the investigation that the suspects are culpable and should be made to face trial in the interest of justice and public safety,” he said.
Reacting, human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), described the development as premature, insisting that the matter was far from over.
Falana, who represents the families of the deceased, said his legal team would provide additional evidence to the DPP for a comprehensive review.
He also disclosed plans to institute a civil suit to seek compensation for the victims’ families.
“The illegal killing of the six unarmed traders will be pursued to a logical conclusion. We will also file a civil action to secure adequate compensation for the bereaved families,” Falana said.
Efforts to get further clarification from the DPP were unsuccessful, as Martins declined comment and referred enquiries to the department’s press unit.
The incident, which has drawn public outrage, underscores growing concerns over the use of force in land disputes and the accountability of security operatives in civil matters.
Source: The Punch
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