The Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) has appealed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai, to demonstrate strong leadership by ensuring that the trial of suspects linked to the brutal murders of two Ajiran indigenes—Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami and Prince Kazeem Ademola Akinloye—commences without further postponement. The appeal was made by CHSR President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse, during a press conference in Lagos on Monday.
Demand for Prompt Arraignment
Omotehinse demanded that the suspects be arraigned before a competent court as soon as possible to facilitate an unimpeded legal process. He noted that the two separate incidents, which occurred in April 2023 and August 2024, are stark reminders of the serious threat posed by organized violence and the urgent need for institutional accountability. The CHSR, acting within its statutory mandate to defend justice and protect citizens' rights, considers it crucial to address the public on the trajectory of these incidents, especially in light of emerging facts, procedural concerns, and attempts to derail the course of justice.
Broader Implications for Justice System
Omotehinse added that beyond a mere criminal investigation, this matter has evolved into a broader scrutiny of the integrity of Nigeria's justice system, the resilience of law enforcement institutions, and the collective will of society to resist impunity. He recalled that the immediate past Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, now Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Moshood Olohundare Jimoh, made a concerning disclosure while briefing journalists at the Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja on February 19, 2026. According to Jimoh, the declaration of Alhaji Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi as a wanted person followed the arrest and confessional statements of two principal suspects directly linked to the killings.
Details of Arrests and Confessions
Jimoh stated that Safiu Fatai (a.k.a. Fabo, aged 40) and Yusuf Ismaila (a.k.a. Bariga) were apprehended on January 24, 2026, and February 6, 2026, respectively, after the Command reopened investigations into the murder incidents upon the emergence of new and compelling evidence. According to Jimoh, the suspects confessed to their roles in the murder of Sheriff Salami Ishola, aged 37, who was killed on April 18, 2023, at about 3:00 p.m. in Moba Town, Eti-Osa, as well as Prince Ademola Akinloye, aged 38, who was shot dead on August 26, 2024, along Chevron Road, Ajiran.
Modus Operandi of the Killings
The police narrative further established that on April 18, 2023, at about 1500 hours, Safiu Fatai, Yusuf Ismaila, Soji Mascot, and one Kenny, armed with a locally fabricated pistol, axe, and machetes, ambushed Sheriff Salami Ishola. The victim was forcibly taken into an isolated building along Mobile Road in Moba, Ajah, where he was restrained and shot multiple times at close range, leading to his immediate death. The assailants thereafter fled the scene. In the second incident, the same group reportedly adopted a similar modus operandi in the killing of Prince Ademola Akinloye, son of Oba Adetunji Akinloye, the Ojomu of Ajiran Land. The attack occurred on August 26, 2024, at about 11:00 a.m. along Chevron Road, where the victim was shot repeatedly, resulting in his death from gunshot injuries.
Allegations of Sponsorship
Further disclosures from suspects in custody revealed that both crimes were allegedly carried out on the orders of Akanbi, who is accused of sponsoring the operations. The suspects claimed they were paid the sum of N2 million, with an initial disbursement of N500,000 to each principal actor shortly after the first killing, alongside promises of additional rewards, including opportunities for foreign travel and enhanced social status.
Concerns Over Procedural Delays
The CHSR stressed that while the revelations provide a disturbing but necessary insight into the nature of the crimes, it expresses serious concern over procedural delays and the handling of the case, particularly in relation to timely prosecution. Such delays risk creating legal loopholes that may be exploited to obstruct justice. Equally troubling are the activities of certain individuals and groups who, under the guise of civil society advocacy, are actively promoting narratives aimed at discrediting the investigative process as well as obstructing the cause of justice. The antics of these self-styled agitators are not only inimical to the cause of justice but constitute a direct threat to peace and orderliness in society.
Attempts to Undermine Due Process
The CHSR is also alarmed by attempts to weaponize legal processes, including the pursuit of restraining orders, to frustrate the legitimate authority of law enforcement agencies. This pattern raises concerns regarding coordinated attempts to undermine due process.
