Alleged murder: Hammed Akanbi’s lawyers demand proper investigation, alleges bias

The legal team representing Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi, who is charged with the alleged murders of Prince Demola Akinloye and Mr. Sheriff Salami, has called for a comprehensive review of the case.

The lawyers allege that certain elements of the Nigeria Police Force carried out a biased investigation.

Adedotun Ajulo, Esq., and Damian N. Ukpa, Esq., spoke to reporters on Friday, saying their client is facing media trials and persecution tied to long‑standing community disputes.

While acknowledging the deaths of Akinloye and Salami as tragic, the legal team argues that the incidents have been politicised by parties seeking personal gain.

According to the lawyers, Akanbi and several other youths from the Ajiran Community were investigated repeatedly by different police formations and other authorities over the incidents that occurred in 2023 and 2024.

They claim the murder allegations resurfaced whenever land‑ownership and chieftaincy disputes arose in the community.

The legal team criticised the conduct of some senior police officers, noting that legal actions challenging certain police decisions are currently pending before the courts.

Addressing the ongoing prosecution, the defence team questioned the credibility of alleged confessional statements reportedly made by two suspects.

They say the suspects initially denied knowledge of one of the killings and later claimed they were informed by a third party that Akanbi had ordered the murder of Sheriff Salami.

The lawyers state that the suspects have since retracted those statements and allege they were coerced into implicating Akanbi.

DAILY POST reports that Akanbi was arraigned before a magistrate court on May 22, 2026, on charges including conspiracy to commit murder, membership of an unlawful society, and threats of violence.