An Ebute Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos on Tuesday, the 10th of March, 2026, ordered the remand of four police officers accused of killing traders at the Owode Onirin International Spare Parts Market.
The defendants, Manu Bala, Jibrin Samaila, Ibrahim Garuba and Ibrahim Kashimu were sent to the Kirikiri Custodial Centre pending legal advice from the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
They are standing trial on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy and murder.
Police prosecutor, Mr O.W. Ologun, told the court that the alleged offences occurred on the 27th of August, 2025, around 9 a.m. at the Owode Onirin Market.
According to him, the defendants acted together with other suspects who are still at large.
“The defendants and others at large conspired and shot several traders to death with AK-47 rifles,” the prosecutor said.
The charge sheet filed by the Commissioner of Police listed six victims in the alleged killings.
They include Bamidele Dare Mufutau, Adebayo Adewale Mathew, Adeoye Taiye, Abraham Idowu Temilola, Akinboye Oluwaseyi Olamilekan and Akeem Aderemi Adeoye.
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Ologun told the court that the offences contravene Sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
He explained that the suspects were brought before the court to obtain a remand order while the Director of Public Prosecutions reviews the case file.
“The advice will determine whether a prima facie case has been established against them,” Ologun said.
Counsel to the defendants, Mr Azuri Ejiofor, urged the court to reject the application for remand.
Ejiofor argued that the defendants had already spent more than five months in detention.