8th September, 2010
A human rights group, Concerned Human Rights Nigeria, has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, to re-open investigation into the 22 July, 2008 mayhem that occurred in Akesan near Igando, Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos Nigeria, which left three people dead and several others seriously injured.
The group made the call during a press conference during which it was alleged that the case was not properly investigated by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, Salisu Mohammed attached to Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).
It argued that those that were killed were not shot by the police as claimed but by one of the parties in the crisis in a land dispute.
The group, through its national coordinator, Comrade Declan Ihekaire, also stated that several letters had been written to the office of Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Commissioner of Justice and Attoney-General of Lagos State and Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola over the matter but there was no response from any of them.
The group pleaded that the police boss should constitute another body to properly investigate the matter and study the new case file CR:3000/x/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.105/42, dated 21May, 2010, with a view to advising the DPP on the matter.
The group also called for the immediate release of the following people: James Akoyi, Kolawole Akoshile, Semiu Aliyu and Bakare Saheed, who are being detained at Ikoyi Prison, for the past two years since the case was brought before an Ikeja High Court, Lagos.
During the crisis over disputed parcel of land in Akesan area of Igando in Alimosho Local Government in 2008, three people were killed and several others injured by thugs hired by the parties involved in the dispute.
—Paul Sanusi