Lawyer Faults Lagos CP Over Alleged Cover-Up in Ikorodu Killing by Naval Officers

A Lagos-based lawyer, Barrister Goddy Osuyi, has faulted the claim by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh Moshood, that he was not briefed about the alleged killing of a man by naval personnel in Ikorodu, Lagos.

Osuyi, who represents the family of the deceased, said he was “shocked” when he read a report in The Punch where the Police Commissioner denied knowledge of the incident. According to him, he personally met with the CP in his office at the State Command Headquarters, Ikeja, over the matter, during which the police boss allegedly admitted he had been briefed but said there were “directives from higher authorities” concerning the case.

“I was surprised when I saw the Commissioner saying he was not aware of the case. That is not true. I met with him personally in his office, and he told me he had already been briefed. He even said he got a directive from higher authority to release two suspects earlier arrested,” Osuyi stated.



The lawyer explained that the incident occurred in mid-September when a retired naval officer allegedly led a team of armed naval personnel to a disputed piece of land in Ikorodu, during which one man was shot dead and two others were critically injured.

Osuyi said the family of the deceased reported the matter to the police at Ijede Division, who transferred it to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti. He alleged that although two suspects were initially detained, they were later released under questionable circumstances.

“When I asked the officer in charge at Panti why murder suspects were released, I was told it was on the instruction of the DC, who claimed the Commissioner ordered it,” Osuyi said.

“But when I met the CP, he admitted being aware of the case and told me directly that he received a directive from a higher authority to release them, claiming they were innocent. How could they be declared innocent when the investigation had not been concluded?”



He further alleged that the Lagos State Police Command had refused to arrest the retired naval officer and her son, also said to be a serving naval personnel, despite eyewitness accounts and available evidence linking them to the attack.

“The woman who brought the naval officers is known. Her address and phone number were given to the police. But up till now, no arrest has been made,” Osuyi said. “Instead, the police have been harassing the community leaders who reported the incident.”



According to him, policemen from the D-9 Section of the State CID recently invaded the home of the community’s Baale (traditional head), allegedly assaulting his pregnant wife and seizing her phone. He claimed the Baale was later detained over a counter-petition filed by the same woman accused of bringing the naval officers.

Condemning the development, the lawyer accused the Lagos police of bias and attempts to suppress justice, insisting that the matter should be transferred out of the command for proper investigation.

“It’s clear the Lagos police are compromised in this case. They want to sweep it under the carpet because the victim’s family is poor and has no influence,” he said.
“That’s why I have petitioned the Inspector-General of Police to transfer the case to an independent unit, preferably Zone 2 or Alagbon, so that justice can be done.”



Osuyi said the petition, submitted on October 21, 2025, detailed allegations of bias and professional misconduct against officers of the Lagos Command. He expressed disappointment that the IGP’s office referred the petition back to the same command for comments.

“We are asking for a transparent investigation. The family deserves justice. A young man was killed in cold blood, others are in the hospital, yet those responsible are walking free,” he said.



He maintained that the CP’s denial of knowledge of the matter was false and misleading, urging the police authorities to ensure the case is not covered up.

Meanwhile CP Moshood Jimoh has already reacted that he was not briefed about the incident in yesterday’s publication.