Chief Magistrate Mrs. Ejiro Kubeinje sitting in Ebute Metta, Lagos, has ordered the remand of four police officers over the Owode-Onirin Traders Killing at the popular Owode International Spare Parts Market.
The defendants are; Manu Bala (41), Jibrin Samaila (47), Ibrahim Garuba (29) and Ibrahim Kashimu (26).
They were remanded at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre pending legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP.
The four police officers are facing a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder in connection with the Owode Spare Parts Traders Killing.
Police allegations before court
Police prosecutor, Mr. O. W. Ologun, told the court that the accused persons allegedly conspired and carried out the Owode Spare Parts Traders Killing on August 27, 2025, at about 9:00 a.m. at the Owode Onirin Market in Lagos.
According to the charge sheet filed before the court by the Commissioner of Police, the defendants and others still at large allegedly shot several traders to death using AK-47 rifles.
The victims listed in the charge include Bamidele Dare Mufutau, Adebayo Adewale Mathew, Adeoye Taiye, Abraham Idowu Temilola, Akinboye Oluwaseyi Olamilekan and Akeem Aderemi Adeoye.
The prosecution stated that the alleged offences contravene Sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which prescribe punishment for murder and conspiracy to commit felony.
Mr. Ologun informed the court that the suspects were brought before it to obtain a remand order pending the issuance of legal advice by the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to determine whether there is a prima facie case regarding the Owode Spare Parts Traders Killing.
Court orders remand, adjourns matter
Following the application, the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Kubeinje, granted the request and ordered that the four defendants be remanded at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre pending the DPP’s advice on the Owode Spare Parts Traders Killing.
The defence counsel, Mr. Azuri Ejiofor, pleaded that the officers should not be remanded on the ground that they had already been detained for over five months.
However, the court ordered their remand and adjourned the matter until April 15, 2026, for further mention.
Meanwhile, lawyer to the traders and the families of the victims, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, said that “the arraignment of the police officers is a pointer to the fact that the Lagos State Police Command is ready and willing to do justice to the memory of the victims who were murdered in cold blood.”
According to him, the souls of the deceased traders are yearning for justice and it is believed that the court will do justice to the case once it is brought before the appropriate court.
Falana added that as they await the outcome of the DPP’s advice, it is believed that the deceased traders in the Owode Spare Parts Traders Killing will not die in vain.
