By DEBORAH AKPEDE

A 38-year-old Ajiran community youth leader, Hammed Akanbi, popularly called ‘Hammed Ajiran’, appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court over alleged murder charges.

Akanbi 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 Aug. 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 Police Command in Lagos State declared Akanbi wanted on Feb. 19 over his alleged involvement in the killings.

Police said INTERPOL operatives arrested him in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on April 15 after months of tracking.

He was subsequently handed over to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Mr Olohundare Jimoh.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, later 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.

Owolabi ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody for 10 days pending further proceedings.

The magistrate 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 for the DPP’s advice. (NAN)