Assault: Ogun bizman renews call for suspects’ prosecution

Ogun State Commissioner of Justice, Mr Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN.

An Ogun State businessman, Azeez Ashiru, has renewed his call on the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, to review the Directorate of Public Prosecutions’ legal advice on a case involving alleged assault, robbery and the use of dangerous weapons against members of his family.

Ashiru, through his counsel, Ayodeji Ifonlaja, also urged the ministry to address alleged bail breaches by the suspects and respond to his petition seeking a review of the charges.

The fresh demand followed an earlier report by PUNCH Metro on September 28, 2026, in which Ashiru protested the alleged dropping of several charges initially recommended by the police.

In the latest petition, the lawyer disclosed that a fundamental rights suit instituted by the suspects, with suit number HCS/326/2025, was dismissed by the Ogun State High Court, Sagamu Judicial Division, on September 30, 2026. The ruling was delivered by Justice O. S. Oloyede.

Ifonlaja argued that the dismissal should not prevent the criminal allegations against the suspects from receiving independent consideration.

He also faulted the position attributed to the Attorney-General in the earlier report that the incident arose from a land dispute and did not warrant an armed robbery charge.

“The existence of a land dispute does not excuse, justify or extinguish any criminal offence disclosed by the evidence.

“Allegations of violence, assault, robbery, intimidation and the use of dangerous weapons must be independently assessed based on the police case file and the applicable law,” the petition read.

Acknowledging the Attorney-General’s prosecutorial discretion, the lawyer maintained that the decision on the appropriate charges should be guided by the evidence and the law.

“Where the evidence is capable of disclosing armed robbery or another criminal offence, the appropriate decision should be made in accordance with the law and the interests of justice,” he stated.

The lawyer also cited another criminal matter involving Ashiru in 2024, identified as Commissioner of Police v. Abdulmiyu Adams & Another, with DPP Reference No. PPD/AR/04/2024/001/49, dated June 28, 2024.

Related News

• Boxers battle for N1.8m at RIYE U-17 Circuit
• Awujale: DSS summons ruling family chiefs
• 2027: Cityboy movement backs Yayi’s agenda, urges Ogun youths’ participation

According to the petition, Ashiru maintained that the suspects in the earlier case made confessional statements but were released without prosecution, an experience he feared could recur in the current matter.

Ifonlaja further alleged that all but one of the suspects in the current case had jumped bail, urging the ministry to verify their status and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.

“We request that their status and any appropriate legal steps be verified and addressed in accordance with the law,” the petition read.

The lawyer asked the ministry to review the DPP’s legal advice dated February 24, 2026, concerning the case involving the suspects, determine the offences supported by the evidence, and issue a formal response to the petition submitted on April 16, 2026, and subsequent reminders.

Expressing his client’s frustration over the delay, Ifonlaja said Ashiru was seeking a fair prosecutorial decision rather than a predetermined outcome against the suspects.

“Our client is heartbroken by the prolonged silence of the relevant authorities despite his repeated efforts to seek justice through lawful means.

“He is not asking for the suspects to be convicted without trial; he seeks only a fair, impartial and evidence-based prosecutorial decision,” the petition stated.

The lawyer urged the Attorney-General to intervene, saying a review of the case would help restore his client’s confidence in the justice system.

When contacted, Ogungbade said he was not aware of the fresh petition. However, he promised to revert.

Ogungbade also expressed concern about the alleged abuse of the criminal justice system.

“This abuse of the system is partly why correctional centres are overflowing with awaiting-trial inmates. As a lawyer, he knows the position of the law on this matter,” he added.