The Lagos State Government has dismissed allegations that it is shielding suspects linked to the killing of six traders at Owode Onirin, insisting its decision not to prosecute was based strictly on insufficient evidence.

In a statement issued Friday, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), described as “false, misleading and unsupported by facts” a publication titled “Is Lagos State Shielding Killers?”, which questioned the handling of the August 27, 2025 incident involving Inspector Manu Bala and four other police officers.

Pedro said no prima facie case was established against the suspects based on materials forwarded by the Lagos State Police Command. He explained that the police transmitted the case file to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice in line with Section 74 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State after initial investigations.

According to him, a detailed review of witness statements, suspect accounts and other documentary evidence revealed no direct link between the officers and the deaths of the traders. He noted there was no eyewitness account confirming that the policemen fired the fatal shots despite the incident occurring in a busy market area.

Pedro added that available evidence suggested traders attacked the police team when they arrived at a disputed land, dispossessing one Inspector Jibrin of his service rifle, which was allegedly used by a trader to open fire. He said the officer was assaulted and later rescued and taken to hospital, while the only civilian suspect arrested was subsequently confirmed not to have been at the scene.

He disclosed that the ministry initially withheld a “no case” legal advice and instead requested additional investigations, including post-mortem reports, ballistic analysis of recovered bullets and examination reports of rifles assigned to the officers involved. However, he said the police failed to provide the requested materials within the stipulated 45 days, prompting a reminder in December 2025 while the suspects remained in custody.

The Attorney-General stated that after about six months without the requested evidence, the ministry issued legal advice on March 3, 2026, recommending withdrawal of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter charges under Sections 411 and 224 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State due to insufficient evidence.

He stressed the decision was not final, noting that prosecution could still proceed if new evidence emerges, since criminal cases are not time-barred. He added that provisional post-mortem and ballistic reports were only submitted after the legal advice had been issued and are currently under review.

Pedro maintained that declining prosecution where evidence is inadequate is a constitutional obligation, not an attempt to shield suspects. He also criticised what he described as misleading police narratives to the media and warned against prosecutions driven by assumptions or emotion.

The August 2025 incident at Owode Onirin, which left six traders dead, has continued to generate public concern and scrutiny over the roles of both the police and prosecuting authorities, with the state government reaffirming its commitment to evidence-based justice and the rule of law.

has dismissed allegations that it is shielding suspects linked to the killing of six traders at Owode Onirin, insisting its decision not to prosecute was based strictly on insufficient evidence.

In a statement issued Friday, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), described as “false, misleading and unsupported by facts” a publication titled “Is Lagos State Shielding Killers?”, which questioned the handling of the August 27, 2025 incident involving Inspector Manu Bala and four other police officers.

Pedro said no prima facie case was established against the suspects based on materials forwarded by the Lagos State Police Command. He explained that the police transmitted the case file to the Ministry of Justice for legal advice in line with Section 74 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State after initial investigations.

According to him, a detailed review of witness statements, suspect accounts and other documentary evidence revealed no direct link between the officers and the deaths of the traders. He noted there was no eyewitness account confirming that the policemen fired the fatal shots despite the incident occurring in a busy market area.

Pedro added that available evidence suggested traders attacked the police team when they arrived at a disputed land, dispossessing one Inspector Jibrin of his service rifle, which was allegedly used by a trader to open fire. He said the officer was assaulted and later rescued and taken to hospital, while the only civilian suspect arrested was subsequently confirmed not to have been at the scene.

He disclosed that the ministry initially withheld a “no case” legal advice and instead requested additional investigations, including post-mortem reports, ballistic analysis of recovered bullets and examination reports of rifles assigned to the officers involved. However, he said the police failed to provide the requested materials within the stipulated 45 days, prompting a reminder in December 2025 while the suspects remained in custody.

The Attorney-General stated that after about six months without the requested evidence, the ministry issued legal advice on March 3, 2026, recommending withdrawal of conspiracy and involuntary manslaughter charges under Sections 411 and 224 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State due to insufficient evidence.

He stressed the decision was not final, noting that prosecution could still proceed if new evidence emerges, since criminal cases are not time-barred. He added that provisional post-mortem and ballistic reports were only submitted after the legal advice had been issued and are currently under review.

Pedro maintained that declining prosecution where evidence is inadequate is a constitutional obligation, not an attempt to shield suspects. He also criticised what he described as misleading police narratives to the media and warned against prosecutions driven by assumptions or emotion.

The August 2025 incident at Owode Onirin, which left six traders dead, has continued to generate public concern and scrutiny over the roles of both the police and prosecuting authorities, with the state government reaffirming its commitment to evidence-based justice and the rule of law.