4 Police Officers Face Murder Charge For Killing Of Traders At Owode Onirin Market

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the defendants were arraigned before the Lagos State Magistrate Court sitting in Ebute Metta and were ordered to be remanded pending legal advice from the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

They were charged on seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder under the Criminal Law of the State.

The prosecutor, Mr. O. W. Ologun, told the Court that the defendants allegedly conspired and carried out the killings on 27th August, 2025, at about 9:00am. at 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 opened fire on traders with AK-47 rifles, resulting in multiple deaths.

The victims listed in the charge included Bamidele Dare Mufutau, Adebayo Adewale Mathew, Adeoye Taiye, Abraham Idowu Temilola, Akinboye Oluwaseyi Olamilekan and Akeem Aderemi Adeoye.

The prosecution said the alleged offences contravened Sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, which prescribed punishment for murder and conspiracy to commit felony.

Ologun told the court that the suspects were brought before it to obtain a remand order pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to determine whether a prima facie case exists against them.

Following the application, the magistrate granted the request and ordered that the four defendants be remanded at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre pending the DPP’s advice.

The matter was adjourned till 15th April, 2026, for mention for the report of the DPP’s advice to be available, which will determine if the matter will be transferred to the High Court or not over jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, counsel to the traders and families of the victims, Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, said charging of the Police officers indicated that the Lagos State Police Command was ready to ensure justice for the slain traders.

Falana said the families of the victims were hopeful that justice would be served once the case proceeds in court, adding that the deceased traders should not die in vain.

The defendants risk several years of imprisonment or life imprisonment if found guilty before the Court.