The legal team representing Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi, who is facing prosecution over the alleged murders of one Prince Demola Akinloye and Mr Sheriff Salami, has called for a thorough review of the case.
The lawyers alleged that elements within the Nigeria Police Force conducted what they described as a biased investigation.
Adedotun Ajulo, Esq and Damian N Ukpa, Esq, who addressed reporters on Friday, claimed that their client was being subjected to media trials and persecution linked to longstanding disputes within the community.
Although the legal team acknowledged and described the deaths of Akinloye and Salami as tragic, it argued that the incidents had been politicised by interested parties seeking to advance personal interests.
According to the lawyers, Akanbi and several other youths from the Ajiran Community were investigated multiple times by different police formations and other authorities over the incidents, which occurred in 2023 and 2024.
They alleged that the murder allegations resurfaced whenever disputes involving land ownership and chieftaincy matters emerged in the community.
The legal team criticised the role played by some top police officers, stating that legal actions challenging some of the police decisions are currently pending before the courts.
Addressing the ongoing prosecution, the defence team questioned the credibility of alleged confessional statements reportedly made by two suspects.
According to them, the suspects initially denied knowledge of one of the killings and later claimed they were informed by a third party that Akanbi had ordered the murder of Sheriff Salami.
The lawyers said the suspects have since retracted those statements and allegedly claimed they were coerced into implicating Akanbi.
DAILY POST reports that Akanbi was arraigned before a magistrate court on May 22, 2026, on charges including conspiracy to commit murder, membership of an unlawful society and threats of violence.
