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Lagos Government Denies Allegations Of Shielding Suspects In Owode Onirin Killings.
The Lagos State Government has refuted claims that it is shielding suspects linked to the killing of six traders at Owode Onirin, insisting that its decision not to prosecute was strictly based on lack of sufficient evidence.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
In a statement released on Friday, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, responded to a publication titled “Is Lagos State Shielding Killers?”, which criticised the handling of the August 27, 2025 incident involving Inspector Manu Bala and four other police officers.
Pedro described the report as “false, misleading and not supported by facts,” maintaining that no prima facie case was established against the suspects based on evidence submitted by the Lagos State Police Command.
He explained that the police, under Section 74 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, sent the case file to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice after initial investigations.
After reviewing witness statements, suspects’ accounts, and other documents, the ministry concluded that there was no direct evidence linking the accused officers to the deaths of the six traders.
According to him, there was no eyewitness testimony confirming that the policemen shot the victims, despite the incident reportedly taking place in a busy market environment.
Pedro added that available findings suggested traders allegedly attacked the police during a land dispute, during which one officer, Inspector Jibrin, was disarmed and his rifle reportedly used by a trader to fire shots. He also noted that the inspector was assaulted and later hospitalized.
He further stated that the only civilian suspect arrested was later confirmed not to have been present at the scene.
Due to the gravity of the case, the ministry initially held back a “no case to answer” opinion and ordered further investigation. On October 30, 2025, it requested key materials including autopsy reports, ballistic analysis, and firearm examination results.
However, he said the police failed to submit the requested documents within 45 days, despite a reminder sent on December 17, 2025, while the suspects remained in detention and were denied bail.
After about six months without additional evidence, the ministry issued its legal advice on March 3, 2026, stating that no prima facie case had been made against the suspects.
The advice recommended withdrawal of charges of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter under Sections 411 and 224 of the Lagos Criminal Law due to insufficient evidence.
Pedro, however, stressed that the matter is not closed and could be reopened if new evidence emerges, noting that criminal prosecution has no time limit.
He disclosed that provisional post-mortem and ballistic reports were later submitted by the police after the legal advice was issued and are currently under review for possible further action.
Defending the decision, he said refusing to prosecute without adequate evidence is a legal and ethical duty, not an attempt to protect anyone.
He added that justice must balance the interests of victims, suspects, and society, warning against allowing emotion or speculation to drive criminal prosecution.
Pedro reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the rule of law, insisting that all decisions on prosecution will continue to be guided strictly by credible evidence and due process.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu has approved an upward review of peculiar allowances, welfare benefits, and exit packages for civil servants across Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This was disclosed on Friday in Abuja by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, during a press briefing.
She explained that the adjustment applies to workers under the Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS) as well as the Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS).
According to her, the revised allowances have been designed to cut across all grade levels, ensuring improved earnings for both senior and junior officers.
Further details are expected to be released later.
Taiwo Oyedele has officially taken over as Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy following a formal handover from his predecessor, Wale Edun.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The transition, which reportedly took place on Thursday evening, was confirmed in a statement issued by the Ministry’s Head of Information and Public Relations, Efe Ovuakporie.
According to the statement, the handover was concluded within the timeframe set by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his inaugural address, Oyedele pledged to consolidate ongoing reforms while delivering measurable economic outcomes.
He said his administration would prioritise fiscal discipline, transparency, and improved performance across key sectors of the economy.
He also expressed his readiness to work closely with staff of the ministry to strengthen efficiency and service delivery.
Oyedele commended his predecessor, Wale Edun, for his role in advancing Nigeria’s economic reform agenda, and thanked President Tinubu for entrusting him with the responsibility.
The Permanent Secretary, Raymond Omachi, alongside the Permanent Secretary (Special Duties), Mohammed Danjuma, welcomed the new minister and assured him of the full support and cooperation of the ministry’s workforce.
During Edun’s tenure, the ministry implemented several fiscal reforms aimed at improving revenue generation and economic coordination. However, the period also faced challenges, including budget implementation constraints that affected ministries, departments, and agencies.
There were also concerns over outstanding payments owed to pensioners and contractors during the same period.
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), sitting in Maitama, has issued a bench warrant for the arrest of an Abuja-based lawyer, Victor Giwa, and a police officer, Edith Erhunmuuse, after they failed to appear in court.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The two defendants were scheduled to be arraigned alongside another accused person, Cecil Osakwe, on a nine-count charge marked FCT/HC/CR/222/2023, filed by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF).
They are accused of criminal conspiracy involving the alleged forceful eviction of occupants and damage to property valued at about N300 million.
When the matter was called on Friday, the prosecution counsel, Aderonke Imana, told the court that although the charge was filed in January 2023, arraignment had repeatedly stalled due to what she described as a consistent pattern of absence by the defendants.
She argued that neither the first nor second defendant had consistently appeared in court or informed the prosecution of their absence, insisting that a bench warrant was necessary to compel attendance.
However, counsel to Victor Giwa, Ogbu Aboje, opposed the application, informing the court that his client was absent due to illness and had submitted medical documentation to support his condition. He also urged the court to hear a pending application before proceeding further.
He asked the court to excuse Giwa’s absence, citing health challenges as the reason for his non-attendance.
In response, the prosecution maintained that arraignment is the proper starting point of any criminal trial, adding that any proceedings before it would be invalid.
The prosecution therefore urged the court to issue a bench warrant to ensure the defendants appear for arraignment.
The third defendant, Cecil Osakwe, was present in court with his lawyer, Farouk Akanbi.
Delivering her ruling, Justice Samira Bature granted the prosecution’s request and ordered the arrest of Victor Giwa, stating that the explanations and medical documents presented amounted to deliberate delay tactics.
The judge noted that the case had suffered repeated delays since it was first filed in 2023 and commenced before her court in July 2024, lamenting that arraignment had still not taken place nearly two years later.
Justice Bature stressed that courts are not venues for delay tactics, adding that the defendants had shown disregard for the judicial process by failing to appear for arraignment.
She further ruled that all pending applications could only be considered after proper arraignment, stating that the court’s jurisdiction in criminal matters becomes fully activated only after that stage.
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