Four police officers land in Kirikiri prison over Owode killings
Lagos Court Remands Four Officers Charged in Trader Killings
An Ebute Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos has remanded four police officers accused of fatally shooting traders at the Owode Onirin International Spare Parts Market.
The officers—Manu Bala, Jibrin Samaila, Ibrahim Garuba, and Ibrahim Kashimu—are being held at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre while awaiting legal advice. They face a seven-count charge that includes conspiracy and murder.
During the proceedings on Tuesday, police prosecutor Mr. O.W. Ologun informed the court that the alleged incident occurred on August 27, 2025, around 9 a.m. He claimed that the defendants, along with accomplices still at large, conspired to shoot and kill several traders using AK-47 rifles.
The charge sheet filed by the Commissioner of Police identifies six victims in the case: Bamidele Dare Mufutau, Adebayo Adewale Mathew, Adeoye Taiye, Abraham Idowu Temilola, Akinboye Oluwaseyi Olamilekan, and Akeem Aderemi Adeoye.
Ologun stated that the charges contravene Sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. He explained that the remand order is necessary while waiting for guidance from the Director of Public Prosecutions, which will determine if a prima facie case has been established against the officers.
The defendants’ counsel, Mr. Azuri Ejiofor, contested the remand request, arguing that his clients had already been in detention for over five months.
