A 38-year-old Ajiran community youth leader in Lagos State, Hammed Akanbi, popularly called Hammed Ajiran, appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over alleged double murder charges.
He was arraigned on Friday on a six-count charge bordering on the alleged murders of Prince Ademola Akinloye and Sherrif Salami.
Prosecutors alleged that Akinloye, son of the Ojomu of Ajiran community, was killed along Chevron Drive, Eti-Osa on August 26, 2024.
Salami was allegedly murdered on April 18, 2023 in the same Eti-Osa area of Lagos State.
The prosecution alleged that the killings were carried out by a gang armed with locally-made pistols, axes and machetes.
Police investigations reportedly led to the arrest of two suspects, Safiu Fatai, also known as Fabo, and Yusuf Ismaila, alias Bariga.
Investigators alleged that the suspects confessed Akanbi paid them N2 million to carry out the 2023 assassination.
The Lagos State Police Command declared Akanbi wanted on February 19, 2026 over his alleged involvement in the killings.
Police said INTERPOL operatives arrested him in Cotonou, Benin Republic on April 15, 2026 after months of tracking.
He was subsequently handed over to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Onikan, AIG Olohundare Jimoh.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, directed that the matter be transferred to the Lagos State Police Command.
The case was thereafter transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation and prosecution.
Akanbi pleaded not guilty to the charges before Magistrate Lateef Owolabi.
The Magistrate ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody for 10 days pending further proceedings.
Owolabi also directed that the case file be duplicated and forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice.
The case was adjourned until June 4, 2026 for the DPP’s advice.
