Family alleges retired CP, church of interfering with murder investigation

The family of 24-year-old Saheed Shoboyejo, who was murdered two months ago in Osuke, Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State, has accused a retired Commissioner of Police (CP) and a local church of attempting to obstruct the investigation into the crime.

Speaking in Ikeja, Lagos, the grieving family raised concerns over the handling of the case, alleging that the primary suspect in the murder has been openly boasting of his release, despite strong evidence connecting him to the crime.

It was reported that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, had directed the Zone 2 Police Command in Onikan, Lagos, to transfer the suspect to the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) in Abuja for further inquiry.

Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, had assured the public that thorough investigations would be conducted.

However, the family has raised questions about the delay in bringing the suspect to court, urging the IGP to ensure the case does not fade into obscurity.

Olusoji Jinadu, a representative of the family, appealed to the IGP, saying, “We urge the IGP to intervene as there seems to be pressure on the SIU to release the suspect. In the two weeks after SIU took over, they gathered enough evidence to arraign him, and we were told that the suspect would be charged the following week, while additional members of his gang were still being sought.”

He further explained that the SIU had sent a team of detectives to the crime scene in Lagos, where they uncovered a link between a female police inspector—who is reportedly the suspect’s lover—and the murder.

She was subsequently invited to Abuja for questioning.

Despite these developments, Jinadu said the suspect has been calling people and claiming that he only needed money to secure his release.

“We are puzzled as to why the SIU, having completed their investigation, would need to start over. The police at both the Sango Area Command and Zone 2 already have enough evidence to prosecute him,” Jinadu added.

The family also alleged that a retired Commissioner of Police and the church the suspect claimed to work for have been influencing efforts to secure his release.

“We want the IGP to step in and ensure that the suspect faces justice. Our demand is simple: the suspect must be arraigned in court,” Jinadu concluded.