The family members of the Baale (traditional chief) of Lotu Town in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State, Fatai Jubril, who was allegedly shot dead in a land dispute on July 15, 2023, have expressed their concerns over the release of the prime suspect by the Zone 2 Police Command.
The prime suspect was accused of fatally shooting the deceased chief in the presence of his teenage daughter and wife. The incident prompted a manhunt for the suspected killers by the police.
The widow of the slain chief, Ejiro, recounted the incident and how she was also assaulted while trying to save her husband from harm when over 50 hoodlums invaded their residence.
The deceased’s brother, Moshood, conveyed the community’s worry, as some residents claimed they had seen the prime suspect moving freely, despite the police stating he was in custody. He appealed to the police not to let the matter go unnoticed and to ensure justice is served.
Responding to these concerns, the spokesperson of the Zone 2 Command, Hauwa Idris-Adamu, confirmed that the prime suspect had been released on bail. However, she assured that the investigation into the murder case was still ongoing and was not halted.
Idris-Adamu explained, “The investigation revealed that the deceased Baale brought his boys and the suspect brought his boys. So, an investigation is ongoing to ascertain whose rifle killed the deceased victim.”
The widow also shared her side of the story during a visit to the deceased’s residence, affirming that she witnessed her husband’s murder in front of their teenage daughter.
The family’s concerns highlight the challenges of ensuring justice and fairness in cases of violent crimes, especially when the prime suspect is released on bail. The ongoing investigation aims to establish a clear picture of the events and determine the appropriate legal course of action.