The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has petitioned the Lagos State Government to ensure the integrity of the prosecution in the ongoing case involving suspects linked to the murder of two indigenes of the Ajiran community. The victims, Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami and Prince Kazeem Ademola Akinloye, were killed in 2023 and 2024 respectively.
Petition to Attorney-General
In a petition addressed to the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice on Thursday, the CHSR called on the government to guarantee that the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) proceeds strictly according to the law, guided by credible and admissible evidence, and free from any undue external pressure or influence. The petition was signed by the CHSR President, Comrade Alex Omotehinse.
Concerns Over Misrepresentation
Omotehinse stated that the petition was necessitated by emerging attempts to distort facts and compromise the integrity of the prosecutorial and judicial processes. He noted that despite detailed confessions, corroborative evidence, and a pattern of coordinated violent acts leading to the tragic deaths, a group called the Centre for Citizens Rights Protection (CCRP) has submitted a petition advancing a narrative that constitutes a grave misrepresentation of facts.
“While we acknowledge the constitutional right of any individual or group to seek redress, we strongly contend that the CCRP’s position—particularly its call for the release of the prime suspect or the granting of bail based on alleged insufficiency of evidence—amounts to a premature and prejudicial interference in a matter that is actively before competent judicial authorities,” Omotehinse said.
Risk to Justice System
The CHSR expressed concern that any prejudicial intervention in a criminal matter, if left unchecked, risks undermining public confidence in the justice system, eroding the credibility of prosecutorial institutions, and inflicting further emotional distress on the bereaved families and the Ajiran community. The group emphasized that criminal prosecutions, especially in capital offences, must proceed strictly on evidence tested in open court, not subjected to external influence or orchestrated public campaigns.
Call for Safeguards
The human rights group called on the attorney-general to safeguard institutional independence by ensuring the independence and impartiality of the Ministry of Justice, the DPP, and the judicial process. They urged caution against yielding to demands or narratives that seek to pre-empt judicial determination or trivialize the gravity of the allegations. Additionally, they stressed the need to protect the interests of victims, ensuring that their rights and dignity are not overshadowed by advocacy that prioritizes suspects over justice.
