Lagos Court Remands Four Police Officers Over Owode Onirin Market Killings

Lagos Court Remands Four Police Officers Over Owode Onirin Market Killings

A Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ebute Metta, Lagos, has ordered the remand of four police officers accused of killing traders at the Owode Onirin International Spare Parts Market in Lagos State.

The defendants — Msanu Bala (41), Jibrin Samaila (47), Ibrahim Garuba (29), and Ibrahim Kashimu (26) — were arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder over the deadly incident that reportedly occurred at the busy market.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offence took place on August 27, 2025, at about 9:00 a.m., when the officers and others still at large allegedly opened fire on traders using AK-47 rifles during a confrontation at the market.

The prosecutor, O.W. Ologun, told the court that the accused officers allegedly conspired to carry out the attack, which resulted in the deaths of several traders and injuries to others.

The charge sheet listed six victims allegedly killed during the shooting. They include Bamidele Dare Mufutau, Adebayo Adewale Mathew, Adeoye Taiye, Abraham Idowu Temilola, Akinboye Oluwaseyi Olamilekan, and Akeem Aderemi Adeoye.

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Authorities said the alleged offences contravene Sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which deal with conspiracy and murder.

Following their arraignment, the presiding magistrate E. Kubeinje ordered that the suspects be remanded at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

The court subsequently adjourned the case until April 15, 2026, for mention.

Counsel to the defendants, Azuri Ejiofor, opposed the remand request, arguing that the accused officers had already spent more than five months in detention before being brought before the court.

However, the court granted the prosecution’s request for remand while awaiting the DPP’s legal advice to determine whether the case would proceed to full trial.

The case is linked to a violent confrontation between traders and armed security operatives during a dispute reportedly related to demolition activities and land ownership issues at the Owode Onirin market.

The incident sparked public outrage among traders and residents, who demanded justice for the victims killed during the shooting at the popular spare parts market in the Kosofe area of Lagos State.

Earlier, the Lagos State Police Command confirmed that the officers involved in the incident had been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force following investigations into the killings.

Authorities say the prosecution of the suspects is part of efforts to ensure accountability and justice over the Owode Onirin market killings.

Lagos Court Remands Four Police Officers Over Owode Onirin Market Killings