Court Remands Policemen Over Alleged Murder Of Traders

A Lagos State Chief Magistrate Court in Ebute Metta has remanded four police officers suspected of shooting and killing traders at the Owode Onirin International Spare Parts Market.

Chief Magistrate Ejiro Kubeinje ordered that the police officers: Manu Bala (41), Jibrin Samaila (47), Ibrahim Garuba (29) and Ibrahim Kashimu (26), be kept behind bars pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The defendants are facing a seven-count charge of conspiracy and murder.

Their pleas were not taken because the Magistrate’s Court is not constitutionally empowered to try the offence of murder.

The police prosecutor Oluwole Ologun had earlier informed the court that the defendants allegedly conspired and carried out the killings on August 27, 2025, around 9:00 a.m. at the market.

He also alleged in the charge that the defendants and others at large used AK-47 rifles to shoot traders dead.

The charge listed the victims’ names as Bamidele Dare Mufutau, Adebayo Adewale Mathew, Adeoye Taiye, Abraham Idowu Temilola, Akinboye Oluwaseyi Olamilekan, and Akeem Aderemi Adeoye.

The prosecutor maintained that the offences violate sections 223 and 233 of the Lagos State Criminal Law, 2015, which address murder and conspiracy to commit a felony.

Ologun also claimed that the defendants were brought before the court to obtain a remand order pending the DPP’s legal advice on whether there is a prima facie case.

The defence lawyer, Azuri Ejiofor, however, pleaded with the court to grant his clients bail, arguing that they have been detained for over five months.

After listening to the prosecutor, Chief Magistrate Kubeinje granted the prosecutor’s request and ordered that the defendants be remanded to the Kirikiri Custodial Centre until the DPP’s advice is issued.

She then adjourned the case to April 15 for advice.

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), who is representing the traders and victims’ families, said that the police officers’ arraignment indicates that the Lagos State Police Command is committed to justice for the victims.

He expressed hope that the court will deliver justice as the case proceeds.

Falana also stated that, as they await the DPP’s advice, the deceased traders’ memory will not be in vain.