By Femi Falana SAN
In Nigeria, murder cases traceable to members of the ruling class and other highly connected persons are usually covered up. On rare occasions, murder cases have been filed against such powerful criminal elements due to public pressure. Usually, such cases are deliberately bungled by public prosecutors to pave way for the dubious acquittal of the murderers.
In recent times, concerned members of the public have mounted pressure on the Nigeria Police Force to arrest and prosecute a few powerful individuals indicted for murder by public and private investigators. On account of political considerations, desperate efforts are being made to sweep some of the murder cases under the carpet. We are therefore compelled to request the relevant authorities to fish out and prosecute the powerful suspects involved in the following murder cases:
1. KILLING OF 33 PEOPLE BY ARMED ROBBERS IN OFFA, KWARA STATE
On April 5, 2018, a gang of armed robbers invaded five commercial banks and the divisional police headquarters at Offa, Kwara State. They killed 33 persons including 9 police officers and robbed the banks of millions of Naira. The Lexus Jeep (SUV) used for the robbery operation was tracked to the Government House in Ilorin where it was recovered shortly after the robbery attack. The five suspects charged with conspiracy and armed robbery were
convicted and sentenced to death in September 2024, by the Kwara State High Court. The Court of Appeal has since confirmed the conviction and the death sentences of the five convicts.
In April 2025, the bereaved families of the Offa robbery attack filed a civil suit at the Kwara State High Court, seeking N2.1 billion in compensation. The defendants named in the case are the Kwara State governor, the Attorney-General of the state, former Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki and former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed. The suit is based on the confessional statements of the leader of the armed robbery gang Ayoade Akinnibosun who claimed that Dr. Saraki and Mr. Ahmed sponsored and armed them as political thugs
On April 9, 2026, a 20-count criminal charge of conspiracy, culpable homicide, and aiding convicted armed robbers was filed in the Kwara State High Court by the State Government. The defendants are Dr. Bukola Saraki, former Kwara Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed, former Chief of Staff Yusuf Abdulwahab, and aide Alabi Olalekan.
Notwithstanding the pendency of the civil and criminal cases concerning the Offa robbery incident in the Kwara State High Court, a press war has been ranging in respect of the planned prosecution of some of the suspects. Having regard to the gravity of the offences and the loss of 33 lives during the robbery operation, all parties should shield their swords and allow the law to take its course.
2..BRUTAL KILLING OF ABUBAKAR IDRIS DADIYATA
Abubakar Idris Dadiyata, a lecturer in the Department of English and Linguistics at the Federal University Dutsinma, Katsina State, was abducted from his Kaduna home on August 2, 2019, by masked men who took him away in his own car shortly after he returned from work.
In a February 2026, in an interview on Arise TV, Mr. El-Rufai, a former Kaduna State governor, denied claims linking his administration to the abduction of the lecturer and social media commentator. He stated that Dadiyata was not a critic of his administration, but that of the then Kano State Government led by Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. He claimed to have heard of a confession by a police officer who stated they were sent from Kano to abduct Dadiyata. Dr. Ganduje denied Mr. El-Rufai’s claims, calling them “reckless” and an attempt to shift responsibility for an incident that occurred in Kaduna State.
However, Mr. Musa Muhammad Kamarawa, a former Senior Special Assistant, SSA, to ex-Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, has alleged that Abubakar Idris Dadiyata, was killed in his presence in a police cell in Kaduna. He named the two police officers who carried out the dastardly act.
The Authorities of the Nigeria Police Force and the State Security Service should, as a matter of urgency, investigate the highly placed politicians and police officers involved in the torture inflicted on Dadayitta and his brutal assassination. The patriot was apparently killed for having the temerity to criticize the looting of public treasury and underdevelopment of the country.
3. THE KILLING AT AJIRAN COMMUNITY IN LAGOS STATE
Someime in 2024, one Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, a notorious land grabber was alleged to have been involved in financing violent operations causing multiple murder, attempted murder, and property destruction in the Ajiran community, in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos. The suspect fled the country and was declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force in February 2026. The suspect was by however arrested by the INTERPOL in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on April 15, 2026. He has since been handed over to the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 2, Lagos.
Having regard to the facts and circumstances of this case, we urge the Police Authorities to conclude the investigation of the criminal activities of Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi to enable the Lagos State Attorney-General to arraign him in the High Court for wilfull damage to property, attempted murder and murder.
THE BRUTAL ATTACK ON CHIEF AROUNFALE AT ALAAFIN’S PALACE AND HIS UNTIMELY DEATH
On April 17, 2025, a Yoruba traditional leader, Chief Lukman Ojora Arounfale—popularly known as the Baba Oba of Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, United States of America honoured the invitation of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade in the Alaafin’s palace. Chief Arounfale’s wife and driver accompanied him to the palace.
The Alaafin was said to have been provoked during the brief discussion with Chief Arounfale. In annoyance, the Alaafin ordered his armed agents to deal with Chief Arounfale. In compliance with the illegal directive, the palace armed agents beat up and tortured Chief Arounfale notwithstanding that he was advanced in age. Chief Arounfale’s wife and driver were equally beaten up by the palace armed agents.
As if that was not enough, the Alaafin caused the Area Commander in Oyo to arrest and detain Chief Arounfale, his wife. The Area Commander took Chief Arounfale, his wife and driver to his office. Without disclosing any criminal offence committed by them, the Area Commander detained Chief Arounfale, his wife and driver in a dingy cell. The following day, the Area Commander forced the “suspects” to write a letter of apology to the Alaafin before releasing them from the illegal custody.
Upon his release from detention, Chief Arounfale returned to Abeokuta where he was rushed to a hospital for urgent medical treatment. Barely a week later, Chief Arounfale passed away as a result of the injuries and torture meted out to him by the armed agents of the Alaafin. Thereafter, the family of the late Chief Arounfale reported the Alaafin for the the murder of the deceased. As the grave complaint was not investigated by the Police, it was reported to the State Security Service which has since commenced investigation into the matter.
4. KILLING OF SIX TRADERS AT OWODE ONIRIN IN LAGOS STATE
On August 27, 2025, six traders were shot dead during a land dispute at the Owode-Onirin Motor Spare Parts Market along Ikorodu road in Lagos. The deceased, identified as Seyi Akinboye, Adeoye Taiwo, Dare Mufutau, Aderemi Hakeem, Abraham Temoola, and Wale Adebayo, were killed by 4 policemen hired from Nasarawa and purportedly brought to Lagos to enforce the judgment of the Lagos State High Court.
The killer policemen are Musa Bala, Ahmed Abass, Ibrahim Kasimu and Ibrahim Garba. The murder suspects were freed, after the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued legal advice indicating that the four policemen acted in “self-defence”. In the legal advice, the DPP blamed the investigators for not providing enough evidence that could sustain the charges of murder.
We have confirmed that the Lagos State Police Command has furnished the Ministry of Justice with the ballistic reports of the AK 47 used for the killing and the post mortem reports carried out on the orders of the Lagos State Coroner. The DPP ought to review the legal advice as soon as possible.
5. THE ILLEGAL PUBLIC EXECUTION OF MENE OGIDI BY ASP NUHU USMAN
On April 26, 2026, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nuhu Usman shot and killed 28-year-old Mene Ogidi in Effurun, Delta State. In a widely circulated video, the deceased who was handcuffed pleaded for his life, in vain. ASP Nuhu Usman and his team have been dismissed, arrested, and slated for prosecution for the illegal public execution of the deceased.
While we acknowledge the steps taken so far by the police authorities, the case file that has been forwarded to the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation should be withdrawn and submitted to the Office of the Attorney-General of Delta State for the immediate arraignment of the suspects in the Delta State High Court.
Femi Falana SAN
The Chair,
Alliance on Surviving Covid 19 & Beyond (ASCAB)
10th May, 2026.
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