Court sends 4 police officers to prison over Lagos market killings

The Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in the Ebute Metta area of Lagos State on Tuesday remanded four police officers accused of shooting and killing traders at Owode Onirin International Spare Parts Market in the state.

The defendants — Manu Bala, 41; Jibrin Samaila, 47; Ibrahim Garuba, 29; and Ibrahim Kashimu, 26 — were remanded at Kirikiri Custodial Centre pending legal advice.

They face a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder.

Police prosecutor O.W. Ologun,told the court the offences occurred about 9 a.m. at Owode Onirin Market on August 27, 2025.

Ologun alleged the defendants and others still at large conspired and shot several traders dead with AK-47 rifles.

“The defendants and others at large conspired and shot several traders to death with AK-47 rifles,” the prosecutor said.

According to the charge sheet filed by the Commissioner of Police, six victims were named in the alleged killings.

They include Bamidele Dare Mufutau, Adebayo Adewale Mathew, Adeoye Taiye, Abraham Idowu Temilola, Akinboye Oluwaseyi Olamilekan, and Akeem Aderemi Adeoye.

Police sack 4 officers for killing 7 traders in Lagos

The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

He added the suspects were brought to court to obtain a remand order pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“The advice will determine whether a prima facie case has been established against them,” Ologun said.

The defence counsel, Azuri Ejiofor, urged the court not to grant the remand request, arguing that the defendants had already spent more than five months in detention.

The Chief Magistrate, E. Kubeinje, granted the prosecution’s request and ordered their remand at Kirikiri Custodial Centre pending the DPP’s advice.

Kubeinje adjourned the case to April 15, 2026, for mention.

The Star