Ajiran Murder: Group tasks Lagos CP on expedited trial of suspect

The Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) has urged the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP. Tijani Fatai to expedite the cause of justice in the case of a murder suspect Alhaji Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi.

At a press briefing held in Lagos on Monday, the CHSR President Comrade Alex Omotehinse flanked by other civil society organisation’s headships, relatives of the murdered Akinloye, Adeola Ogundimu and Raman Ajasa Akinloye made the assertion, while citing the alleged delay tactics and distractive mechanisms adopted by supporters of the arrested murder suspect.

Omotehinse hinted that following the police public declaration of the suspect’s involvement in the brutal murder of two indigenes of Ajiran community Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami and Prince Kazeem Ademola Akinloye, the Commissioner of Police ought to “demonstrate firm leadership by ensuring that the trial of the suspects commenced without further delay.

“We demand that suspects should be promptly arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction to enhance unimpeded trial.

“We also urge adequate security deployment within the Ajiran community to address palpable tension and to reassure residents of their safety as the case progresses.”

In the text of the media briefing titled: “JUSTICE UNDER PRESSURE: EMERGING REVELATIONS AND GROWING CONCERNS IN THE AJIRAN DOUBLE MURDER INVESTIGATION.”, CHSR maintained that justice should never be allowed to be sacrificed on the altar of influence and organised violence.

“It further baffles and deeply concerns us, the conduct exhibited by the operatives of the Delta Force Unit of the State CID, Panti, during Thursday, June 4th, 2026 court.

“Their actions were taken based on prompting from supporters of the prime suspect, to compel the victims’ families to remove their bus identified as the Ojomu Royal Family bus from the court premises car park under the pretext that surveillance devices were installed within it.

“This development is both troubling and unacceptable, especially as it occurred in stark contrast to the unrestrained movement and congregation of supporters of the suspect within and around the court premises.

“ Such selective enforcement raises serious questions about neutrality, professionalism, and the protection of victims’ rights within the justice process.”

The group further reiterated the culpability of the suspect going by police documentation, in which Alhaji Tajudeen Akanbi’s was alleged to have influenced the murders committed.

“It is on record that the immediate past Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, now Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Moshood Olohundare Jimoh, made concerning disclosure while briefing journalists at the Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja on February 19, 2026.

“According to the immediate past Lagos State Police Commissioner, the declaration of Alhaji Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi as a wanted person followed the arrest and confessional statements of two principal suspects directly linked to the killings.

“The Commissioner stated that Safiu Fatai (a.k.a. Fabo, 40) and Yusuf Ismaila (a.k.a. Bariga) were apprehended on January 24, 2026, and February 6, 2026, respectively, after the Command reopened investigations into the murder incidents; upon the emergence of new and compelling evidence.

“According to Mr. Moshood Olohundare Jimoh, the suspects confessed to their roles in the murder of Sheriff Salami Ishola, aged 37, who was killed on April 18, 2023, at about 3:00 p.m. in Moba Town, Eti-Osa, as well as Prince Ademola Akinloye, aged 38, who was shot dead on August 26, 2024, along Chevron Road, Ajiran.

“The police narrative further established that on April 18, 2023, at about 1500 hours, Safiu Fatai, Yusuf Ismaila, Soji Mascot, and one Kenny armed with a locally fabricated pistol, axe, and machetes ambushed Sheriff Salami Ishola.

“The victim was forcibly taken into an isolated building along Mobile Road in Moba, Ajah, where he was restrained and shot multiple times at close range, leading to his immediate death. The assailants thereafter fled the scene.

“Confessional evidence indicated that Safiu Fatai physically restrained the victim while he and Yusuf Ismaila, alongside their accomplices, executed the killing.

“On the second incident, the same group reportedly adopted a similar modus operandi in the killing of Prince Ademola Akinloye, son of Oba Adetunji Akinloye, the Ojomu of Ajiran Land.

“ The attack occurred on August 26, 2024, at about 11:00 a.m. along Chevron Road, where the victim was shot repeatedly leading to his death from gunshot injuries.

“Further disclosures from suspects in custody revealed that both crimes were allegedly carried out on the orders of Alhaji Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, who is accused of sponsoring the operations.

“The suspects claimed they were paid the sum of two million naira, with an initial disbursement of five hundred thousand naira to each principal actor shortly after the first killing, alongside promises of additional rewards, including opportunities for foreign travel and enhanced social status.”
Omotehinse added that the state law enforcement (police) and system of justice should not be compromised or arm twisted under any guise.

He also counseled the media and members of the public not to be distracted as the supporters of the prime suspect, civil society agitators makes frantic efforts to thwart justice.