The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has expressed concern over what it described as the alleged disregard for court orders and the reported disappearance of a prime suspect linked to the killings of two residents of Ajiran in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.
Addressing journalists at a press conference, the President of CHSR, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, said that the organisation was speaking on behalf of grieving families and residents of Ajiran who, according to him, have continued to live in fear following the killings of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami and Prince Kazeem Ademola Akinloye.
According to the group, Mr. Salami was allegedly murdered in Moba, Eti-Osa Local Government Area, on April 18, 2023, while Prince Akinloye was reportedly killed along Chevron Road on August 26, 2024.
CHSR alleged that investigations by the police led to the arrest of several suspects who reportedly made confessional statements and named one Alhaji Ahmed Tajudeen as the alleged principal sponsor of the attacks.
The organisation claimed that following investigations, the suspect allegedly left the country but was later apprehended and returned to Nigeria through international collaboration involving the police and INTERPOL mechanisms.
Omotehinse stated that following the suspect's arrest, a Lagos High Court sitting in Igbosere allegedly ordered that he be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending further proceedings.
However, the rights group alleged that the remand order was not carried out and that the whereabouts of the suspect remain unknown.
"We have received credible reports indicating that the suspect was not remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre as ordered by the court," Omotehinse said.
He further alleged that correctional authorities declined custody of the suspect on health grounds without presenting any medical documentation before the court or seeking a variation of the order.
According to CHSR, the development raises serious concerns about compliance with judicial orders and the integrity of the justice system.
The group also alleged attempts by certain individuals to influence public perception of the case through social media campaigns and narratives aimed at discrediting the investigation.
CHSR called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate how sensitive police documents relating to the case allegedly found their way into the public domain and to review the role played by officers involved in the investigation.
The organisation equally urged the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service to publicly clarify the whereabouts and custodial status of the suspect and explain why the remand order was allegedly not complied with.
Among its demands, CHSR called for immediate disclosure of the whereabouts and custodial status of the suspect, full compliance with the court's remand order and an independent investigation into the alleged violation of the court order.
The group also demanded sanctions against any officials found culpable in the matter, jnvestigation into the alleged leakage of police document and protection for the families of the deceased victims.
Omotehinse warned that failure to address the issues raised could further erode public confidence in the country's justice system.
"The people of Ajiran are watching, the families of the victims are waiting, and the nation is observing," he said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Correctional Service had not publicly responded to the allegations raised by CHSR regarding the case.
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