•DCP, Falana fume

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

It was gathered that the suspects were freed after the Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued legal advice indicating that the cops acted in self-defence.

In the legal advice signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, and obtained exclusively by Saturday PUNCH on Friday, the DPP blamed investigators for not providing evidence that could sustain charges of manslaughter.

The victims were shot dead by the policemen, identified as Musa Bala, Ahmed Abass, Ibrahim Kasimu and Ibrahim Garba.

Saturday PUNCH had reported how the cops were brought from Nasarawa by Ariori to enforce an alleged court order which gave the rights to the land occupied by the traders to a Lagos family.

Ariori was said to be the family’s agent.

In the course of the enforcement, chaos broke out, and the six traders were shot dead.

The victims were identified as Adeoye Taiwo, Akinloye Seyi, Wale Adebayo, Abraham Idowu, Dare Salaudeen and Adeoye Akeem.

The policemen and the Ariori were then arrested and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Lagos State.

However, the matter was transferred to Abuja.

The cops were freed and Ariori granted bail.

Our correspondent learnt that after the protests, charges were filed against the suspects.

However, the DPP, in its legal advice dated Tuesday, March 3, said there was no prima facie evidence to justify their prosecution.

According to Martins, the four police officers were attacked by a mob with weapons during the incident.

Martins noted that one of the officers was injured and dispossessed of his rifle.

He further stated that Ariori was not present at the scene when the incident occurred.

On possible manslaughter charges, the DPP said the police failed to provide forensic evidence necessary to establish the cause of death and link any of the suspects to the killings.

He said there was no autopsy report on the deceased, no ballistic analysis of bullets recovered, and no examination report on the rifles issued to the officers.

“From the available facts in the file, there is no positive evidence to prove that the suspects are responsible for the death of the deceased persons.

“The first to fourth suspects, who were the police officers, acted in self-defence and in protection of their lives, while the 5th suspect was not present at the scene when the traders (mob) attacked the police officers.

“In the circumstance, we advise that no prima facie case of any offence has been disclosed against the suspects.

“Therefore, this office shall not prosecute Inspr Musa Bala, Inspr Ahmed Abass, Cpl Ibrahim Kasimu, Cpl Ibrahim Garba and Abiodun Akeem Ariori for the offences of felony and involuntary manslaughter contrary to sections 411 and 224 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015 and any charge against them is hereby withdrawn,” Martins stated.

But the police said there was enough evidence to prosecute the suspects.

A letter, dated March 5, 2026, from the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, and addressed to the DPP, stated that the police attached relevant evidence to the case file.

The letter was signed by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, DCP Dayo Akinbisehin.

According to Akinbisehin, autopsy reports from the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and ballistic examination findings from the Force Criminal Investigation Department indicated that the suspects were responsible for the death of the traders.

According to the letter, the findings showed that “all the suspects are culpable” and the state had a strong case capable of standing trial.

The Deputy Police Commissioner urged the DPP to review the legal advice and allow the prosecution of the suspects.

“It is evidently clear from the findings in the painstaking investigation carried out by the police that all the suspects, namely: Inspr Manu Bala, Inspr Ahmed Abass, Cpl Ibrahim Kasimu, Cpl Ibrahim Garba and one Abiodun Akeem Ariori, are all culpable and that the state has a good case that can stand the test of trial against them.

“However, the earlier report from the DPP has been taken cognisance of, but the emerging reality from the evidence from the autopsy report and ballistic examination report attached are strong enough for the DPP to take a second look at the advice and allow all the suspects to be prosecuted so that they can indeed have their days in court.

“This will go a long way in entrenching sanctity of the law in the overall interest of justice, public safety, public order and protection of lives and property for which the Nigeria Police is constitutionally charged alongside other enabling laws of the country,” he said.

Reacting to the matter, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, insisted that the case was far from concluded.

Falana, a human rights activist and lawyer to the traders, said his legal team would furnish the required information to the DPP to ensure a full and fair assessment of the case.

He added that a civil suit would also be filed to seek compensation for the families of the deceased.

“I have just been informed that they were freed on the legal advice of the Lagos State Director of Public due to the fact that certain information was not provided. We are going to avail the DPP of the required information.

“The matter of the illegal killing of the six unarmed traders will be pursued to a logical conclusion in the interest of justice. In addition, we are going to file a civil case for adequate compensation on behalf of the families of the deceased,” Falana said.

When contacted, the DPP, Martins, declined comment.

He said he does not speak to the press and directed inquiries to the department’s press officer. (Saturday PUNCH)

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