By Oluwatoyin Mathnuel
The Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) had raised an alarm over the developments surrounding an ongoing murder trial involving Mr Ahmed Tajudeen Akanbi and other defendants before the Lagos High Court, calling for greater procedural and administrative transparency in handling the case.
This clarion call was made at an emergency press briefing by the CHSR President Alex Omotehinse at the Liberation Centre on Sunday, September 27, 2026 where he addressed journalists, representatives of civil society organisations, leaders and members of the Ajiran Community and other concerned Nigerians.
The group said the defendants were standing trial over the deaths of two indigenous son of Ajiran Community in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State—Mr Sheriff Ishola Salami, a youth leader who was murdered on April 18, 2023, and Prince Kazeem Ademola Akinloye, Prince of Ojomu of Ajiranland, who was also murdered on August 26, 2024.
Omotehinse explained the briefing was to draw attention to what the organisation described as developments capable of affecting the progress and public perception of the proceedings.
According to the CHSR President, the organisation was concerned about what it described as repeated petitions and public activities relating to the trial, particularly petitions attributed to persons associated with the Centre for Citizens Rights Protection (CCRP).
He said that the organisation was concerned that some of the public narratives surrounding the case could influence public perception before the court determines the matter.
“Our organisation is deeply concerned by the orchestrated misleading narratives and insidious campaign aimed at undermining justice,” he said.
Omotehinse alleged that “through orchestrated public protests, media campaigns, and repeated petitions by groups working to discredit the judicial process, notably by persons under the Centre for Citizens Rights Protection (CCRP), attempts have been made to mislead the public through false narratives aimed at painting the principal suspect as the victim.”
He added that the group was particularly concerned about petitions said had been submitted in connection with the proceedings.
“More concerning is petitions written by this group with the intent of disrupting hitch-free procedural and administrative process,” he said.
As President of the CHSR acknowledged the constitutional and administrative responsibilities of the Chief Judge of Lagos State in responding to petitions and supervising the administration of justice.
According to Omotehinse, the Office of the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, had requested the case file on several occasions following petitions concerning the proceedings.
He said ” following a petition dated June 29, 2026, alleging bias against the trial judge, Justice A.T. Muyideen, the case file was recalled for administrative review.
“The investigation concluded with Justice Muyideen cleared of the allegations,” he said.
He further stated that a second petition seeking similar relief was submitted on August 3, 2026.
Comrade Omotehinse affirmed the latest development occurred on September 18, when lawyers and other interested parties arrived for scheduled proceedings.
“On September 18, 2026, as counsel and interested parties gathered for scheduled proceedings, it was announced that the case file had once again been requested for administrative assessment,” he said.
While acknowledging the authority of the Chief Judge to deal with administrative matters, he said repeated requests for the file could affect the pace of proceedings.
“While we recognise the constitutional power of the Honourable Chief Judge to supervise judicial administration and address petitions, the repeated retrieval of the file from a court actively sitting on the matter has inadvertently halted the progression of the trial, thus creating widespread concern among the victims’ families and the general public,” he said.
CHSR also raised questions concerning the custody and medical status of the principal defendant following an earlier remand order.
Omotehinse said that the defendant was initially remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre before being transferred to a medical facility following his health issues.
He said the organisation was not seeking to determine the defendant’s guilt or innocence but wanted official clarification about his current status.
“To maintain public confidence and preserve the principle of rule of law, there is an urgent need for official information regarding the status of health and custody of the prime suspect,” he said.
According to CHSR, such clarification would help ensure that the case continued in accordance with existing judicial orders and legal procedures.
The organisation also referred to provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) in making its case for the uninterrupted continuation of the proceedings.
Omotehinse said that Section 36(1) of the Constitution guarantees the right to fair hearing within a reasonable time.
He said: “Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees all parties, including suspects and victims, the right to a fair hearing within a reasonable time frame.”
He further argued that unnecessary interruptions could affect the constitutional objective of timely adjudication.
“Delay tactics through meddlesomeness and misleading narratives are inimical to constitutional guarantee of fair and timely adjudication of cases,” he said.
On the role of the Chief Judge, Omotehinse said the Lagos State ACJL provides for administrative authority in relation to the assignment and supervision of cases, while the trial itself remains before the judge assigned to hear it.
He also cited Section 36(4) of the Constitution, which provides for criminal charges to be determined in public.
According to him, open proceedings are important to maintaining public confidence in the justice system.
Comrade Alex clarified the organisation’s immediate concern was to obtain certainty on issues surrounding the case and facilitate resumption of proceedings.
“To assist in resolving the present impasse and reassure the public that justice will be done, CHSR respectfully highlights the following key points for administrative clarification,” he said.
He added: “Multiple file recalls after an initial administrative review send wrong signals regarding the transparency of the process.”
The organisation also reiterated its request for clarification concerning the custody and medical condition of the principal defendant.
“We therefore seek clarification regarding the custody and medical status of the defendant to ensure compliance with judicial orders,” Omotehinse said.
In its concluding demands, CHSR called on the relevant authorities to allow the judicial process to continue and for evidence to be tested through the court.
“To ensure that justice is done in an impartial and timely manner, the CHSR respectfully submits that judicial proceedings be permitted to run their course in open court.
“We demand that evidence be allowed for open evaluation through legitimate judicial process,” Omosehinse said.
He said that the group believed transparency and continuity were important to maintaining confidence in Nigeria justice system.
“The integrity of our justice system relies on the transparent, uninterrupted trial of matters before competent courts,” he said.
Omotehinse pleaded with all authorities involved in the matter to facilitate resumption of the proceedings as soon as possible.
Saying:
“We The human Rights activists implored all authorities involved to prioritise swift resumption of this trial in the interest of justice for the late souls; their families, the society at large,” he concluded.
