In Ogun State, tensions are rising over the murder of Saheed Jinadu Shoboyede, as the Attorney General’s attempt to halt investigations has sparked controversy. The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, intervened to prevent the discontinuation of the case, ensuring further investigations into the alleged involvement of Elijah Adeogun and others. Assistant News Editor Precious Igbonwelundu reports
Timely intervention by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, through the Assistant Inspector General of Police for Zone 2, Adegoke Fayoade, has prevented an attempt by Ogun State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwashina Ogungbade (SAN), to halt investigations into the murder of Saheed Jinadu Shoboyede. The murder is linked to one Elijah Adeogun, 43, also known as “Killer,” and four other suspects—Hammed Olayiwola, 45, Taofeek Ajasa, 47, Samuel Ajose, 39, and Segun Dada, 54.
Adeogun, along with other suspects, was arrested last week and transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja following their alleged involvement in Shoboyede’s murder, which occurred in the Osuke community last month. Before his arrest, Adeogun was allegedly responsible for several other murders in Ogun State, with multiple petitions lodged against him by both the police and the state government. Further investigation revealed that Adeogun was released in January from custody after an earlier murder charge was dropped. The Attorney General had directed a Nolle Prosequi letter to the State High Court in Ilaro, requesting the discontinuation of the charge related to the 2022 murder case.
In a letter dated January 9, the Attorney General formally requested the dismissal of the case, HCT/46C/2022, which involved the Commissioner of Police, Saheed Dada, Bankole Francis, and Elijah Adeogun. “I, Oluwasira Ogungbade SAN, Attorrey-General of Ogun State, by the power conferred on me by section 211(1) (b&c) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 115 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice and Other Related Matters Laws of Ogun State, 2017, hereby withdraw and discontinue the charge and all criminal proceedings against the defendants in respect of charge No: HCT/46C/2022,” the letter, which was seen by our correspondent, read in parts.
After the discontinuation of the trial in the killing of Monday Eredua, Elijah Adeogun was released from custody, only to be accused of further murders, including that of Saheed Jinadu Shoboyede. The Ileke ruling family of Osuke appealed to IGP Egbetokun for justice. In response, IGP Egbetokun directed AIG Zone 2, Adegoke Fayoade, to take over the case, as the Ogun State Police Command was accused of attempting to obstruct justice. Following this, Adeogun and four others were arrested. However, the Ogun State Attorney General allegedly took over the case on March 19. “Exercising powers conferred on the Attorney General of Ogun State under section 311(1)(c), 243(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) I, Oluwasina Ogungbade (SAN), Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice hereby take proceeding on behalf of Ogun State.”
Contacted for comment, AIG Adegoke Fayoade confirmed that the suspects had been moved to Abuja following the directive of IGP Egbetokun. He emphasised that the case remains under investigation, despite the Ogun State Attorney General’s attempt to take over the matter. “They made attempts to take over the case, which is still under investigation, but it has now been transferred to Abuja for further investigations,” said AIG Fayoade.
In response, the Ogun State Government rejected the allegations, describing them as false and aimed at pre-empting the Attorney General’s review of police misconduct and complicity in an “ongoing criminal enterprise” within the Nigerian Police Force Zone 2, Lagos State. The state government explained that the matter stemmed from a land dispute between local agents in the state, with one side allegedly using the police to harass the other, including lodging false reports and producing unreliable witnesses. The statement further accused those behind the claims of continuing to fabricate new allegations, including murder, after the charges were dropped by the Ministry of Justice due to insufficient evidence. It claimed the Ogun State Police Command’s investigation did not support the allegations. The government concluded that there was no justification for the case being transferred to Lagos or Abuja.
The Ogun State Government accused the Zonal Police Command under AIG Adegoke Fayoade of attempting to obtain a remand order at a Lagos Magistrate’s Court, Tinubu, and detention warrants from Magistrates Courts in Abeokuta and Ota, all of which failed for various reasons. The statement pointed out that the Lagos Magistrate questioned why the zonal command sought a remand order for a crime committed in Ogun State, while the Abeokuta and Ota courts had ordered the police to arraign the suspects within 24 hours. However, the police allegedly ignored these orders and held the suspects for over a week, breaching their constitutional powers.
Additionally, the statement criticised this reporter, calling her an “unprofessional journalist” for not seeking comments from the Ministry of Justice before publishing the story. The government accused the police of using media blackmail, alleging that the journalist had been enlisted to assist the police in their media campaign. The statement further attacked AIG Fayoade, accusing him of undermining justice in Ogun State and becoming a tool for land grabbers and rights violators. It questioned why the AIG was so eager to detain a suspect despite court orders to arraign him, highlighting concerns over the police’s motives and resource allocation for such actions.
In response to recent developments, the Ogun State Ministry of Justice has firmly stated that it will not be intimidated by tactics aimed at undermining its authority. The Ministry emphasised that under the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2017, the Attorney-General has the power to demand updates on investigations at any stage, and to take action against malicious criminal proceedings, even if the allegations are exaggerated. The statement reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to using these powers without fear, regardless of any compromised police personnel.
However, contrary to claims made by the Ministry, an advice issued by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) in 2022 found a prima facie case against suspects Saheed Dada and Bankole Francis, who were allegedly involved in the 2021 murder of Monday Eredua. The DPP’s advice, signed by Mrs. A.O. Adewole, detailed the involvement of the two men under the instructions of Elijah Adeogun, who was identified as the land agent for the Itusi family. The DPP’s findings confirmed the presence of a violent dispute that led to Eredua’s death.
Although the Attorney-General’s office withdrew the charges in January, the investigation and legal advice suggest that the case against Dada and Francis had substantial grounds. Consequently, the legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) recommended that Saheed Dada and Bankole Francis face charges for using violence to secure entry into a landed property, conspiracy to commit murder, and murder. These charges would be in violation of the Prohibition of Forcible Occupation of Landed Properties, Armed Robbery, Kidnapping, Cultism, and Other Anti-Violence Related Offences Law, 2016, as well as Sections 324 and 219 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Ogun State, 2006.
In response, the Eredua family, alleging perversion of justice, sent a passionate appeal in January to President Bola Tinubu, Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun. They decried the Attorney General’s decision to discontinue the murder case against the suspects. The family’s statement read: “We, the Eredua family, passionately appeal to your excellencies to prevent a travesty of justice in the killing of our son, Monday Eredua, who was brutally murdered on his way from his site at Ipetu Baba Ode, Ogun State, on the 18th of November, 2021…”
The Eredua family recounted the tragic events surrounding the murder of their son, Monday Eredua, and the subsequent efforts by law enforcement agencies that led to the arrest of the suspects and the commencement of criminal proceedings. Initially, the case was heard at the Chief Magistrate’s Court, Ota, before being transferred to the High Court. The family expressed their initial relief and optimism as the prosecution of the suspects began on August 15, 2022, at the Ota Magistrate Court, believing justice for their son was finally within reach.
However, the family’s hope was dashed when they witnessed a significant shift in proceedings. They expressed concern over the granting of bail to the suspects, despite one of them, Elijah Adeogun, not being arrested or arraigned in court. The release of the suspects sparked controversy and raised numerous unanswered questions. As the trial progressed, the family observed a troubling trend in the conduct of the prosecution. Despite having witnesses ready to testify, the prosecution kept seeking adjournments, citing instructions from the Solicitor General and Attorney General of Ogun State. This sudden change in strategy, coupled with the inexplicable delays, left the family deeply concerned and searching for answers.
“However on the 4th day of September 2024, two years after the last suspect was arrested, we appeared at the High Court, Ilaro, in order to continue with trial but to our chagrin, the prosecuting counsel told the court that the state Attorney General just handed the case file to her, less than a week before then, precisely on the 30th of August 2024.
“The Prosecuting Counsel also asked that the case be adjourned indefinitely to allow for more investigation but the Presiding Judge in her wisdom did not grant the prayer to adjourn the matter indefinitely. The Presiding Judge, Justice A.A Shobayo, while refusing the prayer of the Prosecuting Counsel to adjourn the case sine dine, said “In the circumstance, the court holds the view that the prayer of the
Prosecuting Counsel cannot be granted without the complainant being part of what is happening. Justice of the case demands that the state should have recourse to the interest of all parties in the case. The prayer is refused.”
“Surprisingly, after failed attempts by the Prosecuting Counsel to have the case adjourned sine dine, we arrived the court on the 21st day of January, 2025 again to be confronted with a letter, purportedly from the Office of the Attorney General of Ogun State, asking to withdraw the murder charge and other criminal charges against the suspects but luckily the said letter was just filed in court few minutes before the case was called hence it was not before the court and the court could not act on it. “The case was adjourned till the 24th day of February, 2025
“From the chain of events it’s obvious the Ogun State Ministry of Justice has concluded plans to withdraw the case against the killers of our son hence this humble plea and save our soul message to your Excellencies so that the murder of our son Late Monday Eredua will not be in vain and the suspects will face the full wrath of the law. We are helpless and at a cross road as the only hope we have in getting justice for our late Son is about to be dashed,” the family stated at a press conference held in Lagos.
