An Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court on Monday ordered the remand of four police officers accused of fatally shooting traders at the Owode Onirin International Spare Parts Market in 2025.
The Chief Magistrate, Ejiro Kubeinje, directed that the officers, Manu Bala, 41; Jibrin Samaila, 47; Ibrahim Garuba, 29; and Ibrahim Kashimu, 26, be kept at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre pending legal advice from the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
The defendants are standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder.
During the proceedings, the police prosecutor, O.W. Ologun, told the court that the accused officers allegedly conspired to carry out the act on August 27, 2025, at about 9 a.m. within the premises of the spare parts market.
Ologun explained that the suspects were brought before the court primarily to secure a remand order while the case file is forwarded to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for legal advice to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to prosecute them.
However, counsel to the defendants, Azuri Ejiofor, appealed to the court to decline the remand request, arguing that the officers had already spent over five months in detention.
Despite the defence’s objection, the magistrate granted the prosecution’s application and ordered that the defendants be remanded in custody.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until April 15, 2026, for further mention.
Reacting to the development, counsel representing the traders and families of the deceased, Femi Falana (SAN), described the arraignment as a significant step toward securing justice for the victims.
According to him, the prosecution of the officers demonstrates the willingness of the authorities to ensure accountability over the killings.
“The arraignment of the police officers indicates that the authorities are prepared to ensure justice for the traders who were killed in cold blood,” Falana said.
He added that the parties would now await the legal advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions, expressing optimism that justice would ultimately prevail for the slain traders.