Four Police Officers Remanded in Connection with Owode Market Shootings

An Ebute Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State has remanded four police officers who are accused of fatally shooting traders at the Owode Onirin International Spare Parts Market.

The accused—Manu Bala (41), Jibrin Samaila (47), Ibrahim Garuba (29), and Ibrahim Kashimu (26)—will remain at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre while awaiting legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

They face seven counts, including conspiracy and murder.

During court proceedings, the police prosecutor, Mr. O.W. Ologun, disclosed that the alleged incidents occurred on August 27, 2025, around 9 a.m. at the market.

Ologun claimed that the defendants, in collaboration with others who have yet to be apprehended, conspired to shoot several traders using AK-47 rifles. “The defendants and others still at large conspired and shot several traders to death with AK-47 rifles,” the prosecutor stated.

According to the charge sheet prepared by the Commissioner of Police, the names of six victims have been released in connection to the shootings: Bamidele Dare Mufutau, Adebayo Adewale Mathew, Adeoye Taiye, Abraham Idowu Temilola, Akinboye Oluwaseyi Olamilekan, and Akeem Aderemi Adeoye.

The prosecutor emphasized that the actions violate Sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, and stated that the defendants were being remanded to secure legal advice determining whether there is a case against them.

However, the defense attorney, Mr. Azuri Ejiofor, opposed the remand request, arguing that his clients have already been in custody for an extensive period without formal charges. "My lord, the defendants have been in custody for over five months," Ejiofor remarked.

Chief Magistrate E. Kubeinje accepted the prosecution's request and ordered the remand of the accused at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre pending the DPP's advice.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 15 for further proceedings.