The family of the Baale of the Lotu community in the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area, Chief Fatai Jubril, who was brutally killed in a land dispute, has expressed frustration over the prolonged delay in the trial of the suspects involved in the shooting.
The elder brother of the slain chief, Moshood Jubril, in a telephone conversation with TheNigerian Metro on Monday, accused the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions of delaying the trial, despite indicting a police inspector, Dikko Usman, and others for their involvement in the incident.
The late chief was allegedly gunned down on July 15, 2023, in the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State, reportedly in the presence of his wife, Ejiro Jubril, and teenage daughter, during a land dispute.
TheNigerian Metro’s investigation revealed that the inspector was promptly dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and charged to court for his involvement in the murder.
A report published by TheNigerian Metro on August 6, 2024, revealed that an advisory signed by the DPP Deputy Director, Sunmonu Tunde, on behalf of the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, also named Omotola Adeboyejo and Wasiu Agbaraojo as suspects to be prosecuted for conspiracy to commit murder and murder.
The advisory read in part, “Facts in the duplicate case file reveal that one Chief Fatai Jubril Asalu was shot at on July 15, 2023, at Museyo community, Ajah, and died as a result of the gunshot injuries to the head as indicated in the Medical Cause of Death Certificate dated August 23, 2023, issued by one Dr. O.O. Onayemi, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.
Despite the detailed DPP advisory and court charges listing the suspects, the family expressed frustration over the lack of progress in the case, blaming the DPP for the delay.
The grieving brother said, “The case has been stuck in the magistrate court for nearly a year. We understand that only the DPP can transfer it to the high court for a proper hearing. We’ve been pursuing this matter since last year.
“We initially postponed the burial, hoping to get justice first. However, due to the prolonged delay, we had to proceed with the burial in December 2024, especially since the hospital we used has now been converted into a Federal Medical Centre.
“We faced numerous challenges before securing a burial warrant. The case has been left stagnant at the magistrate court, which claimed it was waiting for the DPP. According to our lawyer, only the DPP can instruct the court to transfer the case to the high court.
Jubril told TheNigerian Metro that the family feared the brutal murder of the Lotu chief might be overlooked, urging both the public and authorities in the state justice department to step in and ensure justice is served.
He said, “We are afraid this matter will soon be forgotten. My brother was killed in broad daylight, in front of his wife and teenage daughter. What’s stopping them from moving the case to the high court?”
The spokesperson for the DPP, Mrs. Alo Grace, did not answer her phone when our correspondent reached out about the issue on Tuesday.
In addition, WhatsApp messages sent to Dr. Babajide Martins, the Director of Public Prosecutions, had not been replied to by the time this report was filed.
