A coalition of civil society organisations has called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate officers of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba, over alleged misconduct in the investigation into the killings of Prince Ademola Akinloye, son of the Ajiran of Agungi, and Sheriff Salami.
Addressing journalists in Lagos, the coalition, led by the Centre for Advocacy for Credible Leadership, alleged that some officers attached to the SCID Delta Force Unit may have compromised the investigation. The groups urged the IGP to probe the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the SCID as well as officers overseeing the D9 and D4 units, insisting that anyone found culpable should face disciplinary action.
The coalition also appealed to police authorities to prevent retired officers from interfering in the murder investigation and called on the Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Lagos State Chief Judge to clarify the custodial status of Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi, identified as the prime suspect in the case. The groups expressed concern over reports that court orders directing his remand at the Ikoyi Custodial Centre may not have been fully complied with.
While demanding accountability, the CSOs dismissed allegations of corruption, bias and abuse of office against the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, describing the claims as baseless. According to the coalition, a fresh investigation ordered by the IGP earlier this year uncovered new eyewitness accounts, confessional statements and other evidence linking suspects to the killings. They maintained that justice must be served without political influence or intimidation of law enforcement agencies.
