INTRODUCTION
This report is prepared following a review of the Police Progress Investigation Report dated May 23, 2026, concerning allegations that Alhaji Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi was involved in the murders of Sheriff Ishola Salami and Prince Ademola Akinloye.
The purpose of this report is to objectively assess the findings of the Lagos State Police Command and determine whether any credible evidence exists linking Alhaji Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi to the commission, planning, financing, or facilitation of the two murders.
SUMMARY OF THE POLICE INVESTIGATION
The investigation arose from a petition submitted by members of the Ojomu Royal Family of Ajiran, who alleged that Alhaji Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi was responsible for orchestrating the killings of Sheriff Ishola Salami on April 18, 2023, and Prince Ademola Akinloye on August 26, 2024.
Following his arrest and transfer to the Lagos State Police Command, extensive investigations were conducted, including:
• Interrogation of the suspect in the presence of legal counsel.
• Analysis of his bank accounts and financial transactions.
• Forensic examination of his mobile phones by the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre.
• Verification of his travel history through the Nigeria Immigration Service.
• Interviews with witnesses and persons previously charged in relation to one of the murders.
KEY FINDINGS THAT EXONERATE HAMMED TAJUDEEN AKANBI
1. POLICE CONFIRMED HIS ALIBI
One of the most significant findings of the investigation was that Alhaji Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi's claim that he was outside Nigeria during both murder incidents was verified and confirmed by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The Police Report expressly states:
"That the principal suspect's defence of Alibi claiming he was not in the country when both killings ... took place, was investigated and found out to be true."
This finding substantially weakens any allegation that he directly participated in either murder.
2. NO FINANCIAL EVIDENCE OF FUNDING THE KILLINGS
The investigation involved examination of the suspect's bank accounts and financial records.
Police investigators found:
• No transfer of ₦2 million as alleged by the remanded suspects.
• No transfer of ₦3 million to any alleged intermediary.
• No payments to the persons allegedly involved in recruiting or executing the murders.
• No evidence that recipients of money from the suspect passed funds to any of the alleged killers.
The report specifically states that financial investigations failed to establish any transaction linking Alhaji Akanbi to the alleged perpetrators.
3. FORENSIC ANALYSIS OF TELEPHONES FOUND NO INCRIMINATING EVIDENCE
The suspect voluntarily provided access to his mobile devices in the presence of his lawyer.
The phones were subjected to forensic analysis by the National Cybercrime Centre of the Nigeria Police Force.
The investigation found:
• No evidence of payment to the alleged intermediaries.
• No communication proving recruitment of killers.
• No electronic evidence linking him to the planning or execution of either murder.
This is particularly important because digital forensic evidence is often regarded as highly reliable and difficult to manipulate.
4. CONTRADICTIONS IN THE ALLEGATIONS AGAINST HIM
The police report noted that the confessional statements of the suspects previously arrested for the killing of Sheriff Salami were contradictory.
The report states that they gave conflicting accounts regarding who allegedly contracted them to carry out the murder.
One version mentioned "Bode" while another referred to "Kenny."
These contradictions undermine the credibility of the accusations and cast doubt on the reliability of the alleged confessions.
5. THE ALLEGED LINK MEN COULD NOT BE IDENTIFIED OR ARRESTED
The police investigation failed to locate or arrest the persons allegedly used as intermediaries.
Specifically:
• "Bode" remains unidentified and at large.
• "Kenny" was reportedly deceased before investigators could question him.
As a result, investigators were unable to establish any chain of evidence connecting Alhaji Akanbi to the alleged killers.
6. THE CONFESSING SUSPECTS RETRACTED THEIR STATEMENTS
The suspects known as Fabo and Bariga later alleged that their original confessional statements were obtained under duress.
The Police Report records that both men made a complete reversal of their earlier claims and challenged the circumstances under which their confessions were obtained.
This development significantly weakens the evidential value of the confessions that initially implicated Alhaji Akanbi.
7. THE CASE AGAINST HIM WAS BASED PRIMARILY ON SUSPICION
The report repeatedly notes that the complainants "strongly suspected" Alhaji Akanbi of involvement in the murders.
However, suspicion, regardless of its intensity, does not constitute proof.
The investigation failed to produce independent evidence corroborating the suspicions of the complainants.
8. NO DIRECT EVIDENCE OF PARTICIPATION, CONSPIRACY OR PROCUREMENT
Despite extensive investigation, police were unable to establish:
• That Alhaji Akanbi met with the alleged killers.
• That he communicated with them concerning the murders.
• That he financed the killings.
• That he procured weapons.
• That he planned or directed either attack.
• That he benefited from the deaths of the victims.
CONCLUSION
A careful review of the Police Progress Investigation Report reveals that the allegations against Alhaji Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi are unsupported by credible evidence.
The investigation established that:
• He was outside Nigeria when both murders occurred.
• His alibi was independently verified by the Nigeria Immigration Service.
• Financial investigations found no evidence of payments to any alleged killer or intermediary.
• Digital forensic analysis found no incriminating communications or transactions.
• The confessional statements implicating him were contradictory and later repudiated.
• No direct evidence links him to the planning, funding, or execution of the murders.
Consequently, the available evidence contained in the Police Progress Investigation Report does not establish a prima facie case against Alhaji Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi for conspiracy to commit murder or murder.
Accordingly, the findings of the investigation support the conclusion that Alhaji Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi should be exonerated from the allegations unless and until credible, independent and admissible evidence emerges establishing his involvement in the offences.
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