The group in conjunction with Civil Society Stakeholders made the demand on Tuesday in a statement signed by its President, Alex Omotehinse, saying that three months after the killing of Salami at Moba Town, the group and civil society stakeholders were seriously disturbed that the police were yet to demonstrate seriousness or convincing interest in the investigation of the murder.
Human rights group, the Centre for Human and Socio-economic Rights (CHSR) has demanded justice and investigation into the murder of the youths leader of Ojomu Community in Ajiran Land in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State, Sheriff Ishola Salami, who was killed on Tuesday April 18, 2023.
The group in conjunction with Civil Society Stakeholders made the demand on Tuesday in a statement signed by its President, Alex Omotehinse, saying that three months after the killing of Salami at Moba Town, the group and civil society stakeholders were seriously disturbed that the police were yet to demonstrate seriousness or convincing interest in the investigation of the murder.
The CHSR called on the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun to order a full investigation into the remote cause of the murder of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami and those responsible.
According to CHSR, “The apparent nonchalant of the police authorities would however appear deliberate or orchestrated in spite of quests for justice by the immediate family of the deceased and concerned indigenes of the community.”
Omotehinse in the statement explained that the group received a copy of the petition dated May 8, 2023 and submitted to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police of the Nigeria Police Force, Zonal Command Headquarters, Zone II, Onikan, Lagos State on the situation in Ojomu community including a request for the probe into the murder of Salami 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. 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 whose photograph is displayed on the banner for this press conference.
“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,” the statement further read.
The group therefore demanded that the Lagos State government should compel the Lagos State Police Command to act without further delay in unraveling the perpetrators of the callous murder of Salami.
“We call on the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun to order a full investigation into the remote cause of the murder of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami and those responsible.
“We further demand that the IGP probe the delay in the investigation of the murder three months after the incident. We demand openness and transparency from police authority, particularly Nigeria Police Force, Zonal Command Headquarters, Zone II, Onikan, Lagos in respect of the murder case.
“We demand justice for the deceased, Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami who left behind 3 daughters and an aged mother. We demand that the culprits in the murder of Mr. Sheriff Ishola Salami; no matter how highly placed, be brought to book in the interest of justice,” the group added.