Court remands dismissed police officer over ‘killing’ of 18-year-old girl in Lagos

The magistrate court sitting at Yaba, Lagos, has remanded Samuel Philips, the policeman dismissed over his alleged involvement in the shooting of Monsurat Ojuade, an 18-year-old girl.

TheCable had reported that the 18-year-old was shot on September 10 at Mogaji street, Ijesha, Surulere, during a raid by operatives of the state criminal investigation and intelligence department.

The victim was said to have been taken to Randle Hospital in Surulere, where she was briefly treated and referred to Igbobi Orthopaedic Hospital.

It was alleged that the late Ojuade was not attended to at Igbobi hospital because those around said they were on strike, and she reportedly died when she was taken to another hospital.

The police had claimed that the deceased was hit by a stray bullet, but the family alleged that she was shot at close range.

Earlier on Friday, the police had announced the dismissal of the officer.

The dismissed officer was later arraigned before the magistrate court in Yaba on Friday afternoon.

“That you, Philip Samuel, ‘M’, on the 10 day of September, 2021 at about 2330hours at No. 53 Mogaji street, Ijeshatedo Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial District whilst in a criminal raid operations, did unlawfully release gunshot into the aforesaid dwelling house building, which hit one Monsurat Ojuade, ‘F’, aged 18 years, on her two thighs to death and thereby, committed an offence punishable under Section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015,” the charge sheet reads.

During the hearing, Augustine Nwabuisi, the prosecutor, asked that the dismissed officer be remanded, pending advice from the directorate of public prosecution (DPP).

Adeola Adedayo, the chief magistrate, granted the application of the prosecutor, and ordered that the dismissed sergeant should be remanded for 30 days.

Further hearing in the case was adjourned till October 25.

Speaking at the end of the proceedings, Israel Mbaebie, lawyer to the deceased’s family, faulted the failure of the police to make public the findings of the orderly room trial.

“Our clients frown at this disrespectful and lackadaisical attitude of the police and also wonder how it has been easier for them to organise an orderly room trial of the so-called killer police, without making public their findings till date,” the lawyer said.