Lagos AG dismisses claims of shielding Owode Onirin killers

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has firmly refuted allegations that the state government is attempting to shield individuals involved in the tragic killings of six traders at Owode Onirin. In a detailed rejoinder, Pedro clarified that the decision not to prosecute was a direct consequence of a critical lack of evidence, a conclusion reached after a thorough legal review.

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false, misleading and unsupported by facts

Pedro emphasized that the police, after their initial investigations, transmitted the case file to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice. However, a meticulous examination of witness statements, suspect accounts, and other documentary evidence revealed no direct link connecting the police officers or the civilian suspect to the deaths of the traders. Notably, there were no eyewitnesses in the case file confirming that the policemen fired the fatal shots, despite the incident occurring in a busy market.

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The police, in line with Section 74 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, transmitted the case file to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice after conducting initial investigations.

The narrative presented by the available evidence suggests a complex scenario where traders allegedly attacked the police team, disarmed an inspector, and a rifle was then allegedly used by a trader. The ministry's rigorous approach is further demonstrated by its initial reluctance to issue a 'no case' advice, instead requesting crucial evidence like post-mortem and ballistic reports. The failure of the police to provide these essential materials within a six-month period, despite the suspects remaining in custody, ultimately led to the legal advice recommending the withdrawal of charges due to insufficient evidence.

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For instance, there was no eyewitness account in the case file confirming that the policemen shot the deceased, despite the incident allegedly occurring in a busy market.

This situation highlights the stringent requirements for prosecution in Lagos State and underscores the commitment of the Ministry of Justice to uphold legal standards. The government's stance, as articulated by the Attorney-General, is that justice must be based on concrete evidence, and in this instance, the evidence presented did not meet the threshold for a prima facie case.

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The police inspector was assaulted and had to be rescued and rushed to a nearby hospital.