LAGOS: An Ebute Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered the remand of four police officers accused of shooting and killing traders at the Owode Onirin International Spare Parts Market.
The defendants, Manu Bala, 41; Jibrin Samaila, 47; Ibrahim Garuba, 29; and Ibrahim Kashimu, 26 were remanded at Kirikiri Custodial Centre pending legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Police prosecutor O.W. Ologun told the court that the alleged offences occurred on August 27, 2025, around 9 a.m., when the defendants and others still at large allegedly conspired and shot several traders to death with AK-47 rifles. The charge sheet listed six victims, including Bamidele Dare Mufutau, Adebayo Adewale Mathew, Adeoye Taiye, Abraham Idowu Temilola, Akinboye Oluwaseyi Olamilekan, and Akeem Aderemi Adeoye.
The prosecutor said the offences contravened Sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and that the suspects were brought to court to obtain a remand order pending DPP advice, which will determine if a prima facie case exists.
Counsel to the defendants, Azuri Ejiofor, argued that the officers had already spent more than five months in detention.
Chief Magistrate E. Kubeinje granted the prosecution’s request and ordered their remand at Kirikiri, adjourning the case until April 15 for mention.
