A call has gone out to the Acting Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to urgently probe the killing of a leader of the youth in Ojomu Community, Ajiran Land in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Sheriff Ishola Salami, who was gruesomely murdered on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
Human Rights Group, the Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) alongside other Civil Society Stakeholders made the call on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, in a statement signed by, Comrade Alex Omosehinde, President CHSR.
Comrade Omotehinse said: “three months after the unfortunate incident, we are seriously disturbed that the police were yet to demonstrate seriousness or even convincing interest in the investigation of the callous murder. The apparent nonchalant of the police authority would however appear deliberate or orchestrated in spite of quest for justice by the immediate family of the deceased and concerned indigenes of the community”.
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Speaking further CHSR President explained that “The Group received a copy of the petition dated May 8, 2023 and submitted to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Police Force, Zonal Command Headquarters, Zone II, Onikan, Lagos on a the situation in Ojomu community including a request for the probe into the murder of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami (a.k.a AGBOWORIN) who was a son of late Bashorun Of Ajiran Land, Chief Ishola Salami. The said petition was forwarded on behalf of Ajiran Youth Movement by a solicitor: Omoyola and Co (Property Managers, Solicitors, Advocates and Arbitrators).
“In spite of quest for justice anchored on the statutory duty of the police, members of the immediate family of the deceased, Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami are totally broken by the apparent lack of commitment to bringing the perpetrators of the heinous crime to book. The immediate family of the deceased comprising his critically ill; aged mother, his wife Mrs. Mariam Ishola Salami and three young daughters, Sinata -5years plus, Ayisha – 4 years, and Arafat – 2 years are yet to be consoled that justice would be done to the memory of their loved breadwinner.
“The family of the deceased has been left to mourn their beloved son, husband and father without any glimmer of hope of getting justice since the law enforcement agencies; particularly the police charged with the responsibility of protection and conducting criminal investigation have not been forthcoming.
“The concerned indigenes of Ojomu community and the immediate family of the deceased are therefore demanding diligent investigation that would lead to the unraveling of the masterminds and accomplices in the cold-blooded murder of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami.
“The rank-and-file leadership of human rights community in Lagos State and by extension Nigeria are demanding that the new leadership of the Nigeria Police headed by Inspector General Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun should order credible investigation into the crisis in Ojomu community prior to the ugly incident of April 18, 2023 leading to the murder of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami. We had highlighted the murder of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami in our previously petition to the immediate past Inspector General of Police, Mr. Alkali Baba and we would forward another letter to the new IGP as a follow-up to this press briefing.
“The human right community considers it utterly unacceptable that a cruel murder incident on Tuesday 18, April which was duly reported at the Ogombo police station, Lekki and followed up with a letter from an Attorney to the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Police Force, Zonal Command Headquarters, Zone II, Onikan, Lagos in which amongst other issues; a demand into the probe of the murder has remained unattended three months after the incident.
“We demand justice for the deceased, Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami otherwise known as Agboworin, who left behind 3 daughters and an aged mother. Most importantly, the culprits no matter how highly placed be brought to book in the interest of justice”.
Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) is a service oriented non-governmental organization (NGO) registered as a corporate body to defend, sustain and promote the fundamental human and socio-economic rights of citizens and residents in any part of Nigeria as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
By Ajibola Adedoye