Ajiran Double Murder Trial: Social Media Storm, Leaked Case Files and Questions Over Defence Lawyer's Access

 

The trial of Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, a declared fugitive and principal suspect in the alleged murders of Sheriff Ishola Salami and Prince Ademola Akinloye, two princes of Ajiran Community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, has become one of the state's most closely watched criminal proceedings.

Beyond the courtroom, the case has evolved into a fierce contest over public perception, driven by social media campaigns, allegations of investigative compromise and growing controversy surrounding how sensitive case documents allegedly found their way into the public domain.

The killings of Salami in February 2023 and Akinloye in August 2024 shocked the Ajiran Community near Chevron and attracted widespread calls for justice from traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society organisations and residents.

Investigations gathered momentum after the arrests of Safiu Fatai, popularly known as Fabo, on January 24, 2026, and Yusuf Ismaila, also known as Bariga, on February 6, 2026.

On February 20, 2026, the Lagos State Police Command declared Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, a 38-year-old businessman, wanted over the two killings after he allegedly fled the country. Following months of intelligence gathering and cross-border surveillance, INTERPOL operatives arrested him in Cotonou, Republic of Benin, on April 15, 2026, before returning him to Nigeria to face trial.

Although the prosecution initially appeared straightforward, proceedings before the Chief Magistrate Court in Ogba and later the Lagos State High Court became increasingly contentious, with protests, allegations of judicial interference and sustained attacks on the credibility of the police investigation.

Like many high-profile homicide cases, emotions have remained intense among the victims' families, supporters of the accused and members of the community. In the process, the police became the focal point of criticism from competing interests.

Available records, however, indicate that investigators followed established legal procedures. The principal suspect was declared wanted only after allegedly fleeing Nigeria, judicial approvals were obtained where required, INTERPOL was engaged to facilitate his arrest abroad and he was subsequently returned to face prosecution.

The renewed investigation itself followed a petition dated January 7, 2026, submitted on behalf of the Ojomu Chieftaincy Family. Acting on the petition, the Inspector-General of Police directed a comprehensive review of the case on January 8, 2026.

The review was implemented under the then Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, now Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh. Detectives attached to one of the Tactical Teams at the State Police Headquarters, Ikeja, reportedly concluded their investigation and forwarded their findings to the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), the statutory body responsible for reviewing criminal case files before prosecution.

That stage of the process is significant because, once investigation files are transmitted to the DPP, authorised legal practitioners and other approved parties may obtain access to relevant documents through lawful judicial processes. Consequently, sensitive investigative materials were no longer exclusively in police custody before the case was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, for supplementary investigation.

This distinction has become central to recent claims suggesting that investigative records were altered or leaked after the case reached SCID Panti.

Controversy Over Defence Lawyer's Access to Case File

Another issue attracting attention is the role allegedly played by the principal suspect's lawyer, Mr. Adedotun Ajulo, in obtaining sensitive investigation documents.

According to information available, after SCID Panti concluded its supplementary investigation and forwarded the case file to the DPP, Ajulo reportedly submitted a written request seeking a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the investigation file. His request allegedly extended beyond ordinary court records to include documents relating to his client's properties and other exhibits recovered during the investigation.

The request was reportedly rejected by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID Panti, Dayo Akinbisehin, who referred him to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Fatai Tijani. Police sources claim the Commissioner also declined the application.

Despite the rejection, the lawyer subsequently approached the High Court in Ikeja to seek bail for his client. According to sources familiar with the proceedings, copies of the same investigation documents he had earlier been denied by the police later appeared as attachments to his bail application.

It is alleged that the documents were eventually obtained through the Directorate of Public Prosecutions via routine court processes after judicial approval.

The development has raised fresh questions about how confidential investigation materials entered the public space, particularly as some of the documents have since featured prominently in social media campaigns criticising the police investigation and Nigeria's criminal justice system.

Social Media Campaigns and Public Perception

The controversy intensified after Akanbi reportedly developed serious health complications while in custody.

His deteriorating condition triggered widespread speculation, with social media platforms flooded with claims that the investigation had been compromised.

Among the most vocal critics was social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), who publicly accused senior police officers of undermining the investigation and questioned the integrity of the prosecution.

As online debates intensified, public attention gradually shifted away from the two slain princes, with many discussions increasingly portraying the principal suspect as the victim of institutional persecution rather than a defendant facing serious criminal charges.

However, official investigation records present a different narrative.

Investigators reportedly obtained eyewitness accounts describing the attacks, confessional statements from arrested suspects allegedly linking key actors and corroborative evidence suggesting financial sponsorship and orchestration of the killings.

Records further indicate that Akanbi's arrest followed valid warrants issued by both a Magistrate's Court in Ikeja and the Federal High Court in Lagos before INTERPOL secured his arrest in the Republic of Benin.

Police also publicly displayed exhibits allegedly recovered from the suspect, including a 2017 Lexus LX570 SUV, an international passport and two mobile phones.

Medical Treatment and Continued Custody

Another issue that has generated public debate is Akanbi's continued stay in police custody despite an earlier court order directing that he be remanded in a correctional facility.

Court proceedings indicate that after the initial remand order, the suspect's deteriorating medical condition prompted a subsequent judicial directive in June allowing him to remain in police custody while receiving treatment at a federal medical facility under police supervision until he became medically fit to continue standing trial.

The substantive hearing has been scheduled for November.

Although the arrangement fuelled speculation that the suspect was receiving preferential treatment, information from court proceedings suggests the custody arrangement resulted from a judicial directive based solely on medical considerations rather than any administrative decision by the police.

Legal observers note that once a court issues such directives, law enforcement agencies are legally bound to comply. They also point out that access to medical treatment neither extinguishes criminal liability nor interrupts the prosecution process.

Civil Society Groups Back Due Process

Civil society organisations have also weighed in on the controversy.

The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) and the South West Youth Alliance (SWYA), after reviewing aspects of the case, rejected allegations that investigators manipulated evidence or removed suspects' statements from the investigation file.

According to both organisations, available records do not support claims that statements made by Safiu Fatai and Yusuf Ismaila disappeared from the case file. They also maintained that Akanbi was declared wanted only after appropriate judicial authorisation had been obtained.

The groups further noted that investigators obtained statements from multiple witnesses, including the widow of one of the deceased victims.

SWYA added that its independent review showed key suspects had already made statements before Akanbi's arrest, warning that attempts to distort the investigative process could erode public confidence in the administration of justice.

Both organisations urged Nigerians to allow the criminal trial to proceed without intimidation, misinformation or undue external influence, stressing that justice should ultimately be determined by the courts based on admissible evidence, due process and compliance with judicial orders—not by competing narratives on social media.