Following the killing of six traders in Owode Onirin, Kosofe area of the state, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has released four police officers and a property developer, Abiodun Ariori, in connection with the incident.

Their release followed legal advice issued by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), which concluded that the officers acted in self-defence and that there was insufficient evidence to sustain a charge of manslaughter.

The policemen were Musa Bala, Ahmed Abass, Ibrahim Kasimu, and Ibrahim Garba, who were previously arrested alongside Ariori after the fatal incident, which occurred during the enforcement of a disputed land claim.

Ariori was said to have engaged the officers from Nasarawa State to enforce a court order on behalf of a Lagos-based family claiming ownership of the land occupied by the traders.

During the operation, violence broke out, resulting in the deaths of six traders identified as Adeoye Taiwo, Akinloye Seyi, Wale Adebayo, Abraham Idowu, Dare Salaudeen, and Adeoye Akeem.

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Although the suspects were initially detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lagos and later transferred to Abuja, they were subsequently freed after the DPP reviewed the case file.

In the legal advice signed by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins, the office faulted the investigation, citing a lack of critical forensic evidence linking the suspects to the deaths.

“From the available facts in the file, there is no positive evidence to prove that the suspects are responsible for the death of the deceased persons.

“The first to fourth suspects, who were the police officers, acted in self-defence and in protection of their lives, while the 5th suspect was not present at the scene when the traders (mob) attacked the police officers.

“In the circumstances, we advise that no prima facie case of any offence has been disclosed against the suspects.

“Therefore, this office shall not prosecute Inspr Musa Bala, Inspr Ahmed Abass, Cpl Ibrahim Kasimu, Cpl Ibrahim Garba and Abiodun Akeem Ariori for the offences of felony and involuntary manslaughter contrary to sections 411 and 224 of the Criminal Law Ch. C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State 2015 and any charge against them is hereby withdrawn,” Martins stated.

The DPP also noted the absence of key evidence, including autopsy reports, ballistic analysis, and examination of the firearms used, which would have been necessary to establish culpability.

However, the police have challenged the decision, insisting that there is sufficient evidence to prosecute the suspects.

In a letter addressed to the DPP, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, Dayo Akinbisehin, maintained that the investigation produced credible findings, including autopsy and ballistic reports linking the suspects to the killings.

According to him, the evidence demonstrates that the suspects should face trial.

“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.

“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,” he said.

Reacting, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) said the case remains unresolved and vowed to pursue justice for the victims.

He disclosed that his legal team would provide additional evidence to the DPP and initiate civil proceedings on behalf of 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.

Efforts to get a response from the DPP were unsuccessful, as Martins declined to comment and referred inquiries to the department’s press office.