Lagos Clears Police Officers Over Owode Onirin Kill*ngs

Lagos Clears Police Officers Over Owode Onirin Kill*ngs
Police dispute DPP, insist evidence proves culpability
Falana vows fresh evidence, civil action

The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has cleared four police officers and a developer, Abiodun Ariori, accused of killing six traders in the Owode Onirin area of Kosofe, Lagos State.

EDITOR’S PICKS

EKO HOT BLOG reports that the decision followed legal advice issued by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, which concluded that the officers acted in self-defence.

In the legal advice signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, the office faulted investigators for failing to provide sufficient evidence to sustain charges of manslaughter.

According to the DPP, key materials such as autopsy reports and ballistic analysis linking the suspects to the deaths were not presented.

“From the available facts… there is no positive evidence to prove that the suspects are responsible,” the advice stated, adding that the officers acted to protect themselves during a mob attack.

The DPP also noted that the developer was not present at the scene at the time of the incident.

The victims were reportedly shot during a chaotic enforcement of a disputed court order on land occupied by the traders.

The police officers, identified as Musa Bala, Ahmed Abass, Ibrahim Kasimu and Ibrahim Garba, were said to have been brought from Nasarawa by Ariori, who acted on behalf of a Lagos-based family claiming ownership of the land.

Violence broke out during the operation, resulting in the deaths of six traders.

However, the Nigeria Police Force has disagreed with the DPP’s conclusion, insisting that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the suspects.

In a letter signed by DCP Dayo Akinbisehin, the police said findings from autopsy and ballistic examinations established culpability.

“It is evidently clear from the findings in the painstaking investigation carried out by the police that all the suspects… 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… 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,” Akinbisehin said.

Reacting, human rights lawyer Femi Falana said the matter was not concluded.

Falana, who represents the families of the victims, said his legal team would submit additional evidence to the DPP and pursue justice.

Lagos Clears Police Officers Over Owode Onirin Kill*ngs

“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,” he said.