Lagos frees four policemen, developer over Owode Onirin killings

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has released four policemen and a property developer, Abiodun Ariori, who were accused of killing six traders in Owode Onirin, located in the Kosofe area of the state.

The suspects were freed following legal advice issued by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which concluded that the police officers acted in self-defence during the incident and that there was insufficient evidence to sustain charges of manslaughter.

In the legal advice signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, the DPP faulted the investigation process, noting that critical evidence required to establish a case against the suspects was not provided.

The six traders—Adeoye Taiwo, Akinloye Seyi, Wale Adebayo, Abraham Idowu, Dare Salaudeen, and Adeoye Akeem—were shot dead during a chaotic confrontation that broke out while the policemen attempted to enforce an alleged court order over a disputed piece of land.

The officers, identified as Musa Bala, Ahmed Abass, Ibrahim Kasimu, and Ibrahim Garba, were reportedly brought in from Nasarawa by Ariori, who was acting as an agent for a Lagos-based family claiming ownership of the land.

Following the incident, the policemen and Ariori were arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department in Lagos before the case was later transferred to Abuja.

However, the DPP stated that there was no prima facie case against the suspects, stressing that available evidence suggested the officers were attacked by a mob armed with dangerous weapons, leading them to act in defence of their lives. It also noted that Ariori was not present at the scene when the shootings occurred.

The legal advice further highlighted the absence of key forensic evidence, including autopsy reports, ballistic analysis, and examination of the rifles used, which could have linked the suspects directly to the deaths.

Despite the DPP’s position, the police have maintained that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the suspects. In a letter from the State Criminal Investigation Department, authorities insisted that autopsy and ballistic findings indicated the suspects were responsible for the killings.

The police have therefore called for a review of the legal advice, arguing that the case is strong enough to proceed to trial.

The development has added a new layer of controversy to the incident, which had earlier sparked outrage and protests over the killing of the traders.