An Ebute-metta Chief Magistrate Court, Lagos, has ordered the remand of four police officers accused of shooting and killing seven traders at the popular Owode Onirin International Spare Parts Market, Kosofe LGA, Lagos State.
The police officers, Manu Bala, 41, Jibrin Samaila, 47, Ibrahim Garuba, 29, and 26 years old Ibrahim Kashimu, were ordered to be remanded at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) pending legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
The police officers are to face a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder.
Police prosecutor, Mr. O. W. Ologun, told the court that the accused persons allegedly conspired and carried out the killings on August 27, 2025 at about 9:00 a.m. at the Owode Onirin Market in Lagos.
According to the charge sheet filed before the court by the Commissioner of Police, the defendants and others still at large allegedly shot several traders to death using AK-47 rifles.
Those that were allegedly by by the police officers include: Bamidele Dare Mufutau, Adebayo Adewale Mathew, Adeoye Taiye, Abraham Idowu Temilola, Akinboye Oluwaseyi Olamilekan, and Akeem Aderemi Adeoye.
The prosecution stated that the alleged offences contravene Sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which prescribe punishment for murder and conspiracy to commit felony.
Mr. Ologun informed the court that the suspects were brought before it to obtain a remand order pending the issuance of legal advice by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to determine whether there is a prima facie case against them.
Following the application, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. E. Kubeinje, granted the request and ordered that the four defendants be remanded at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre pending the DPP’s advice.
The matter was thereafter adjourned till 15th of April, 2026 for further mention.
Meanwhile, lawyer to the traders and the family of the victims, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), said that “the arraignment of the police officers is a pointer to the fact that the Lagos state police command is ready and willing to do justice to the memory of the victims who were murdered in cold blood.”
According to him, the souls of the deceased traders are yearning for Justice and it is believed that the court will do justice to the case the moment the case is brought to the court.
Falana said as they await the outcome of the DPP’s advice, it is believed that the deceased traders will not die in vain.
Proposed charges against the police officers read: “That you, MANU BALA ‘M’. JIBRIN SAMAILA ‘M’. IBRAHIM GARUBA ‘M’ UBRAHIM KASHIMU ‘M’ and others now at large, on the 27th day of August. 2025 at about 0900hrs at Owode Onirin Market Lagos, in the Lacos Magisterial District did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit Murder of Baimidele Dare Mufutau ‘m’, Adebayo Adewale Mathew ‘m’, Adeoуe Тaiye and Akeem Aderemi Adeoye ‘m’ and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015..
“That you, MANU BALA ‘M’, JIBRIN SAMAILA ‘M’, IBRAHIM GARUBA ‘M’, IBRAHIM KASHIMU ‘M’ and others now at large, on the 27th day of August, 2025 at about 0900hrs at Owode Onirin Market Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully killed one Bamidele Dare Mufutau ‘m’ by shooting him to death with AK47 Rifle and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
“That you, MANU BALA ‘M’, JIBRIN SAMAILA ‘M’, IBRAHIM GARUBA ‘M’, IBRAHIM KASHIMU ‘M’ and others now at large, on the 27th day of August, 2025 at about 0900hrs at Owode Onirin Market Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully killed one Adebajo Adewale Mathew ‘m’ by shooting him to death with AK47 Rifle and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
“That you, MANU BALA ‘M’, JIBRIN SAMAILA ‘M’, IBRAHIM GARUBA ‘M’, IBRAHIM KASHIMU ‘M’ and others now at large, on the 27th day of August, 2025 at about 0900hrs at Owode Onirin Market Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District did unlawfully killed one Adeoye Taiye ‘m’ by shooting him to death with AK47 Rifle and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015
“That you, MANU BALA ‘M’, JIBRIN SAMAILA ‘M’, IBRAHIM GARUBA ‘M’, IBRAHIM KASHIMU ‘M’ and others now at large, on the 27th day of August 2025 at about 0900hrs at Owode Onirin Market Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District did unlawfully killed one Abraham Idowu Temilola ‘m’ by shooting him to death with AK47 Rifle and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
“That you, MANU BALA ‘M’, JIBRIN SAMAILA ‘M’, IBRAHIM GARUBA ‘M’, IBRAHIM KASHIMU ‘M’ and others now at large, on the 27th day of August, 2025 at about 0900hrs at Owode Onirin Market Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully killed one Akinboye Oluwaseyi Olamilekan ‘m’ by shooting him to death with AK47 Rifle and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
“That you, MANU BALA ‘M’, JIBRIN SAMAILA ‘M’, IBRAHIM GARUBA ‘M’, IBRAHIM KASHIMU ‘M’ and others now at large, on the 27th day of August, 2025 at about 0900hrs at Owode Onirin Market Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did unlawfully killed one Akeem Aderemi Adeoye ‘m’ by shooting him to death with AK47 Rifle and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.”
