Court Denies Bail for Wheelchair-Bound Suspect in Murder Case

The Lagos State High Court in Igbosere has refused to grant bail to Ahmed Tajudeen. He is a suspect in the murder of two people in Ajiran Community, located in the Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The murder of Sherif Agborin on April 18, 2023, and Ademola Akinloye, the son of the Ojomu of Ajiranland, Oba Akinloye, in August 2024, led to protests and calls for justice. The Lagos State Police Command arrested the main suspect and an accomplice earlier this year.

Tajudeen was brought to court in a wheelchair because of his reported health issues. He asked for bail to get better medical care.

On Wednesday, the case resumed before Justice Abdul-Raheem Muyideen in Court 8 after being delayed for over six months. During the hearing, Tajudeen's lawyer, Adedotun Ajulo, asked the court to grant bail because of his health condition.

Ajulo argued that his client needed proper medical treatment while the trial was going on. But Justice Muyideen turned down the bail request and ordered that Tajudeen be returned to the Ikoyi custodial facility in Lagos.

The judge also instructed that Tajudeen should receive the medical attention he needs while in custody. The court then postponed the case until November 3, 2026, for more proceedings.

After the ruling, Ajulo spoke to reporters. He said they were informed at the last minute about the court's decision on the bail application filed on September 29. He mentioned that the application was based on Tajudeen’s medical condition and that the court had previously promised to notify them about the ruling date.

"We got an impromptu notice yesterday around 1 pm. The court called us to say the ruling would be today," he said.

Ajulo noted that the court recognized the defendant's health issues but still did not grant bail. This was because Tajudeen was already getting treatment at a Federal Medical Centre and faced serious charges of murder and conspiracy.

"The court ruled today that, while it might agree the third defendant is ill, he is receiving treatment at a medical centre," Ajulo explained. "Since he is getting treatment at a Federal Medical Centre, the court is not inclined to grant bail, especially with the serious allegations against him and the others."

The lawyer added that the court took into account the medical care available to Tajudeen. The court also wanted to ensure that it did not prejudge the case by examining evidence too soon. The judge has set the case for an accelerated hearing, with further proceedings scheduled for November 3, 5, 9, 10, and 25.

Ajulo mentioned that the defence team would think about their next steps after the ruling. "I am not the defendant; I am a lawyer. We will consider what to do next. The defendants are ready for trial in this case," he said.

Ajulo explained that the bail application was made because Tajudeen had been receiving medical care even before the case reached the High Court. He said Tajudeen had come to court in an ambulance while getting treatment.

"The bail application is what has caused the uproar. Before we came to this Honourable Court, at the magistrate’s court, the third defendant was coming to court from the hospital," he stated. "He had been brought to court in an ambulance."

Ajulo argued that the bail request was to allow Tajudeen to pursue further medical care, explaining that he had surgery outside Nigeria in 2024.

"The main reason for seeking bail is that the defendant has been dealing with this illness for a long time. He had surgery abroad in 2024," he said.

He also pointed out that Tajudeen had paid for his medical expenses and that the defence wanted him released for the care he needed.

"We are simply asking that he be granted bail so he can seek the best medical care available to him," Ajulo concluded.

The case has been postponed until November 3 for further proceedings.