The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has released four police officers and a developer, Abiodun Ariori, accused of killing six traders in Owode Onirin, Kosofe area of the state.
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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, and obtained exclusively by Saturday PUNCH on Friday, the DPP blamed investigators for not providing evidence that could sustain charges of manslaughter.
According to the DPP, investigators failed to provide critical evidence, including autopsy reports and ballistic analysis linking the suspects to the deaths.
“From the available facts… there is no positive evidence to prove that the suspects are responsible,” the advice stated, adding that the officers acted in protection of their lives during a mob attack.
The DPP also noted that the developer was not present at the scene when the incident occurred.
The victims were allegedly 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 reportedly brought from Nasarawa by Ariori, who acted as an agent for a Lagos-based family claiming ownership of the land.
During the operation, violence broke out, resulting in the deaths of six traders.
However, the Nigeria Police Force has disagreed with the DPP’s position, insisting there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the suspects.
In a letter to the DPP, signed by DCP Dayo Akinbisehin, the police said autopsy reports and ballistic findings from relevant authorities established culpability.
Akinbisehin said: “It is evidently clear from the findings in the painstaking investigation carried out by the police that all the suspects, namely: Inspr Manu Bala, Inspr Ahmed Abass, Cpl Ibrahim Kasimu, Cpl Ibrahim Garba and one Abiodun Akeem Ariori, are all culpable and that the state has a good case that can stand the test of trial against them.
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“However, the earlier report from the DPP has been taken cognisance of, but the emerging reality from the evidence from the autopsy report and ballistic examination report attached 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 alongside other enabling laws of the country.”
Reacting to the development, human rights lawyer Femi Falana said the matter was far from over.
Falana, who represents the families of the victims, said his legal team would provide additional evidence to the DPP and pursue justice.
He also disclosed plans to file a civil suit seeking compensation for the families of the deceased.
“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,” Falana said.
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