The Lagos State Government has reversed its decision to acquit four policemen who were involved in the killing of two suspected phone thieves in Igando area.
The Ministry of Justice said fresh facts had shown that the policemen were culpable and would be prosecuted.
The dismissed policemen — Inspector Fabiyi Omomayara, Sergeant Olaniyi Solomon, Sergeant Solomon Sunday and Constable Aliyu Mukaila — were shown in a video clip shooting dead two young men — Segun Sholaja and Ogheneovo Ebobo.
The clip, which went viral, drew wide criticisms as many people called for the arrest and prosecution of the policemen.
The Lagos State Police Command, in swift reaction to the outrage, conducted orderly room trial for the policemen and dismissed them, and subsequently arraigned them for murder with their case file duplicated for legal advice.
However, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, in its advice dated September 16, 2019, with reference number CB:3514/LSXD4/Vol.6/31, said the victims were “hit” by Police bullets and taken to the Iba Police Station, where they died from gunshot injuries.
The families of the victims had accused the Director of the DPP, Dr. Babajide Martins, of complicity in the case and called for a review of the advice.
The ministry on Wednesday said the men would be tried based on “fresh evidence.”
