CSO, people of Ajiran Petitions Lagos Chief Judge, Seeks Reassignment of Akanbi's Case Over Fair Trial Concerns

 

The Centre for Citizens Right's Protection (CCRP) and the people of Ajiran has petitioned the Chief Judge of the High Court of Lagos State, urging the reassignment of the criminal case involving Alhaji Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi from the court of Justice A.T. Muyideen, citing concerns over the conduct of the proceedings and the need to preserve public confidence in the administration of justice.

In a petition dated August 3, 2026, and signed by the group's President and Executive Director, Abe Emmanuel Kolawole, the civil society organisation said its intervention was aimed at safeguarding constitutional guarantees of fair hearing, due process and judicial impartiality rather than interfering with the independence of the judiciary.

The petition follows an earlier complaint submitted on June 29, 2026, in which the organisation had raised concerns about the handling of the case. According to the group, the Chief Judge's office had responded by informing it that the matter had been investigated, Justice Muyideen was exonerated, and assurances were given that the defendant would receive a fair and impartial trial.

However, the organisation said subsequent developments had prompted it to return with fresh concerns.

The CCRP questioned the circumstances surrounding the remand of Akanbi on June 25, 2026, arguing that the defendant was ordered into the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service before the court had formally assumed jurisdiction by taking his plea.

The group also expressed concern over proceedings on July 3, 2026, when the defendant, whom it said was brought to court in a wheelchair due to an alleged critical medical condition, was formally arraigned.

According to the petition, rather than determine the pending bail application or give it accelerated consideration in view of the defendant's health, the court adjourned the matter until November 2026 for trial and hearing of all pending applications while directing that the defendant be returned to hospital.

The organisation and Ajiran people further stated that an attempt to secure an accelerated hearing before the Lagos State Vacation Court was unsuccessful because Justice O.O. Martins reportedly declined to entertain the application after noting that all pending applications had already been adjourned until November by Justice Muyideen.

It argued that the sequence of events had generated public concern over whether the defendant's constitutional rights to liberty, fair hearing and timely determination of his bail application were receiving adequate judicial consideration.

While stressing that it was not seeking to influence the outcome of the criminal proceedings, the group maintained that justice must not only be done but also be seen to be done, especially in matters attracting public attention.

Among its requests, the CCRP asked the Chief Judge to reassign the case to another judge of the Lagos State High Court, review the circumstances that led to the Vacation Court's refusal to entertain the bail application, and ensure the expeditious hearing of the pending bail application, particularly in view of the defendant's reported medical condition.

The organisation also called for an independent administrative review of the proceedings to determine whether they had consistently reflected the constitutional guarantees of fair hearing, judicial impartiality and due process.

The petition urged the Chief Judge to treat the matter with urgency in the interest of justice, the integrity of the judiciary and public confidence in the judicial system.