The family of a deceased transporter, Ajayi Michael has petitioned the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr Sylvester Alabi, asking for justice against Mr Abiodun Ishola Ejigbadero, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Lagos State, and also an alleged notorious land grabber in the Alimosho axis of the state.
On April 16, 2024, Ejigbadero was alleged to have led some thugs to attack members of the Nigerian Union of Road Transport Workers(NURTW), Iyana-Ipaja branch over the control of the bus terminus located in the area. It was alleged that the Chairman of Alimosho LCDA, Hon Sulaiman Jelili withdrew the collection of the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) collection contract from Ejigbadero and gave it to another person. Not satisfied, Ejigbadero led thugs to displace the new contract owner, and in the process, shot Ajayi to death instantly. Several other persons who received gunshot wounds are still being treated in various hospitals in the area.
The police was alleged to have arrested some people in the area, including Jelili the council chairman, the Chairman of NURTW, Iyana-Ipaja branch, Adedayo Omotolani, Ejigbadero and several others for preliminary investigations. They were released on Thursday April 18, 2024.
However, the Ajayi family whose son was killed in the mayhem has petitioned the DIG(FCID) seeking justice for their deceased son. In the petition written by the family lawyer, they urged the DIG office to take over the case as they alleged that Ejigbadero will use his political influence in the state to avoid justice.
Others mentioned as perpetrators of the mayhem with Ejigbadero are Bukunmi Awe, Fatai Ayomide Sunday(Isan), Olufimo(Destiny), Lookman(Upper), Malo, Jaboto, Sheriff Omisore, Mario, Dare(Drey), Seun Ekunusi, Balogun, Oluwasegun Ogbonnaya, and Suraju Ekunusi.
Ejigbadero is the son of the late Jimoh Ishola Ejigbadero, the popular Lagos land grabber and socialite who was sentenced to death by hanging in 1975 by the late Justice Ishola Oluwa of Lagos High Court. He was convicted for the murder of a farmer, Mr Raji Oba, in his house at Alimosho on On August 22, 1975. Raji Oba street, at Iyana-Ipaja area, housing old Winners Chapel Church was in memory of the slain farmer.
Although he appealed the judgment both at the Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, all his efforts failed and was subsequently hanged in 1979.
Below is the full letter:
18th April 2024.
THE DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE
FORCE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT
THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE
AREA 10, GARKI
ABUJA.
Dear Sir,
PETITION AGAINST MR. ABIODUN ISHOLA EJIGBADERO, BUKUNMI AWE, FATAI AYOMIDE SUNDAY (A.K.A ISAN), OLUFIMO (A.K.A DESTINY) , LOOKMAN(UPPER), MALO, JABOTO, SHERIFF OMISORE, MARIO, DARE(DREY), SEUN EKUNUSI, BALOGUN, OLUWASEGUN OGBONNAYA, SURAJU EKUNUSI AND OTHERS THAT THEIR NAMES WERE NOT KNOWN, FOR THE DEATH OF MR. AJAYI MICHEAL WHO WAS MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD BY THE GANG AT IYANA IPAJA LAGOS STATE ON 16TH APRIL ,2024
The above subject matter refers.
We are solicitors to the family of the deceased, Late Mr. Ajayi Micheal, represented by Mrs Ajayi Eunice (Mother) and Akinola Bamidele (Sister), and the Abule Oki community, Iyana Ipaja, Lagos State represented by Chief Adedayo Oki, the Baale of the Oki Community hereinafter referred to as our clients on whose firm instruction we write this petition.
Sir, our client informed us that on the 16th day of April,2024 Mr. Abiodun Ishola Ejigbadero and his murderous gang invaded of Iyana-Ipaja community with guns to unleashed terror on the people of the community which led to the death of one Mr. Ajayi Micheal, and ghastly injured the duo of Mr. Biodun Olajide and Mr. Kola Adeseun, who were caught with the bullets from the guns of these thugs, and that of Mr. Abiodun Ishola Ejigbadero attached policemen who were on mufti and shooting AK47 sporadically.
Respectfully Sir, this petition seeks justice for the victims of this brutal attack orchestrated by the notorious criminals, Abiodun Ishola Ejigbadero, and his gang of thugs on 16th April,2024. The incident left several individuals critically injured and took the life of this young promising boy who is the breadwinner of his family. The Baale shared boundary with the Community where this ugly incident happened, the person of Chief Mofolorunso Masaku and another community Leader Mr. Adedayo Tolani who went to the Area M police station to make report of the incident were detained and brought to the Lagos Police Command headquarters where they were transferred to State Criminal Investigation department in Panti, Yaba, Lagos State, our clients alluded that the said Mr. Abiodun Ishola Ejigbadero was heard saying that the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Obasa is backing him and he can use his influence to downplay the matter and nothing will happen; hence the reason our clients instructed us to write this petition to your good office so that Ajayi Micheal would not die without justice been served to those who mindlessly cut him short in his prime without provocation.
We demand that the Office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (FCID)should carry out a thorough investigation, cause accountability from those responsible, and take measures to ensure community safety and restore trust in law enforcement.
The immediate consequences of this attack were devastating, with families left in shock and grief. The critically injured victims are currently receiving medical attention, and their families face a long and uncertain road to recovery. The deceased’s families are mourning the loss of their loved one and seeking closure through justice.
This incident highlights the urgent need for law enforcement to address criminal activities in our communities. By allowing Abiodun Ishola Ejigbadero and his gang to operate with impunity, we are condoning violence and undermining the rule of law and Fundamental Human Right. We call on the Deputy Inspector General of Police to take swift action, including a thorough investigation, identification, and apprehension of all those involved in the attack.
We demand that the Nigerian Police Force conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation into this murderous attack and bring all those responsible to justice; We humbly implore the Deputy Inspector General of Police (FCID) to use his good office to call for the case file from the Lagos State Criminal Investigation department Panti, Yaba, Lagos State due to the fear of likelihood of undue influence and interference by his highly placed god-fathers in the State as bragged by Abiodun Ishola Ejigbadero himself.
We thank you in anticipation of your thorough investigation and support in this case sir.
Yours Faithfully,
For: Urbane Attorneys & Solicitors
Oluwagbenga E Babawibe. MCIArb-UK, AICMC
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