A coalition of civil society organisations has called for an independent judicial review of the investigation into the killings of Sheriff Ishola Salami and Prince Ademola Akinloye in Ajiran, Lagos State, alleging that the prosecution of Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi is based on a fabricated case.
Addressing journalists in a statement, Ayodeji Ologun, Kolawole Emmanuel, Samuel isijola, who spoke on behalf of the coalition alleged that the police investigation was manipulated to implicate Akanbi while shielding the actual perpetrators of the crimes. It also accused some civil society groups of attempting to influence public opinion in support of the ongoing prosecution.
According to the coalition, video-recorded interrogations of two suspects, identified as Yusuf Ismaila, also known as "Bariga," and Safiu Fatai, alias "Fabo," indicated that the killing of Sheriff Salami stemmed from an alleged cult rivalry.
The group claimed the suspects, during their initial interrogations, did not mention Akanbi or link him to the murder. It further alleged that both suspects denied involvement in the killing of Prince Ademola Akinloye.
The coalition also argued that travel records showed Akanbi was outside Nigeria during the periods when the two killings occurred, raising questions over allegations that he sponsored the attacks.
It further alleged that subsequent interrogations conducted in February 2026 were aimed at compelling the suspects to implicate Akanbi, describing the exercise as an attempt to build a case against him.
The group linked the development to an alleged dispute over community land in Ajiran, claiming Akanbi became a target after local youths opposed the sale of communal land.
The coalition also questioned aspects of the investigation into the death of Prince Ademola Akinloye, including the absence of an autopsy, the handling of the deceased's mobile phone and the subsequent sale of his farm.
On reports that Akanbi was missing from custody, the coalition dismissed the claim, insisting that he remains at a medical facility in compliance with a court order placing him under police supervision due to his health condition.
The coalition urged the Inspector-General of Police to establish an independent panel to review the entire investigation, particularly the handling of evidence and the circumstances surrounding the prosecution of Akanbi.
It also called for an investigation into what it described as alleged land-related interests connected to the case and requested that the Police Service Commission investigate the conduct of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Moshood Jimoh in relation to the investigation.
In addition, the coalition appealed for Akanbi's release on bail, citing his health condition, and urged the judiciary to ensure that his trial is conducted fairly and without external influence.
The coalition maintained that justice for the victims should be pursued through a transparent and impartial investigation, while calling on relevant authorities to address the issues it raised.
The Nigeria Police Force has previously maintained that its investigation into the Ajiran killings followed due process. The allegations made by the coalition have not been independently verified, and those mentioned in the statement had not publicly responded to the latest claims at the time of filing this report.
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