CSOs Reject ‘False Narratives’ on Ajiran Double Murder, Demand Justice for Victims
A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) has condemned what it described as a coordinated campaign to distort facts surrounding the murder of Sheriff Ishola Salami and Prince Ademola Akinloye in Ajiran, Lagos, warning against attempts to portray the prime suspect, Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, as a victim.
Addressing a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, Coordinator of the Centre for Advocacy for Credible Leadership (CACL), Femi Lawnson, who spoke on behalf of the coalition, said the campaign of misinformation was capable of undermining the administration of justice.
According to him, the coalition, which has monitored the case since 2023, convened the briefing to set the record straight, defend the integrity of the investigation and demand strict adherence to the rule of law.
He said the renewed investigation followed a petition submitted by the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family on January 7, 2026, after which the Inspector-General of Police ordered a comprehensive review of the case. The directive, he noted, was implemented by the then Lagos State Commissioner of Police, now Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Zone 2), Olohundare Moshood Jimoh.
Lawnson said the investigation produced eyewitness accounts, confessional statements and other corroborative evidence linking the suspects to the killings. He added that Akanbi’s arrest was backed by valid court orders and international collaboration through INTERPOL, which facilitated his return to Nigeria.
The coalition dismissed allegations of corruption and abuse of office levelled against AIG Jimoh as baseless and intended to derail the prosecution, insisting there was no credible evidence to support the claims.
While commending the AIG for what it described as professionalism and adherence to due process, the group expressed concern over alleged misconduct by some operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, and called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate any officer accused of compromising the investigation.
The coalition also urged the police authorities to prevent serving and retired officers from interfering in the case and called on the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Lagos State judiciary to clarify reports alleging non-compliance with court orders regarding the remand of the prime suspect.
It maintained that justice must be served for the slain victims, insisting that no suspect should evade accountability regardless of status or influence.
The coalition further demanded transparency on the custodial status of the prime suspect, enforcement of all subsisting court orders, disciplinary action against any officer found to have compromised the investigation and safeguards against external interference in the prosecution.
If intended for publication, this version is about 430 words, follows the concise ThisDay news style, removes repetitive advocacy statements, and retains the key allegations, chronology, and demands without adopting the coalition’s claims as established facts.
