Court fixes June 22 for judgment in Lekki sound engineer murder case

Justice Ibironke Harrison of the Lagos State High Court sitting at Igbosere has fixed June 22, 2026, for judgment in the trial of commercial motorcyclist Dahiru Ayuba and five others accused of killing sound engineer David Imoh.

The judge adjourned the matter on Tuesday after counsel for both the prosecution and defence adopted their final written addresses.

Imoh was allegedly lynched and burnt to death on May 12, 2022, at NITEL Junction, Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, following a dispute over a N100 transportation fare balance with a commercial motorcyclist.

The 37-year-old was reportedly attacked by a mob and set ablaze during the incident.

The defendants — Dahiru Ayuba, Susan Moses, Chigozie Anthony, Christopher Dauda, Joseph Tella and Sunday Azi — were arraigned on October 20, 2022, on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, murder, attempted murder and infliction of grievous harm, preferred by the Lagos State Government.

At the resumed proceedings, the court granted applications by defence counsel seeking extension of time to regularise their final written addresses, which had been filed out of time.

Counsel for the first defendant, A.O. Idowu, told the court that his client’s address, dated April 17, 2026, urged the court to dismiss the prosecution’s case and acquit him.

Similarly, counsel for the second defendant, Steven Eluwa, said his address, dated February 16, 2026, asked the court to discharge and acquit his client on the grounds that the prosecution failed to prove the case beyond reasonable doubt.

“In response to the prosecution’s address, we filed a reply on points of law dated May 4, 2026. We urge the court to discharge and acquit the second defendant,” he said.

Counsel for the third defendant, Sylvester Effiong, whose address was filed on March 30, 2026, also urged the court to resolve all issues in favour of his client and discharge her.

Olayinka Lawal, counsel for the fourth defendant, argued that evidence before the court showed that some defendants testified they did not see his client at the scene of the crime.

He also challenged the prosecution’s claim that all defendants made confessional statements, adding that the police failed to investigate his client’s alibi.

“When the fourth defendant was arrested, he stated that he was with one Mr Elias, but neither the police nor the prosecution investigated that claim,” Lawal submitted.

Counsel for the fifth defendant, Yusuf Temilola-Nurudeen, argued that none of the prosecution’s six witnesses directly implicated his client in the alleged offences.

“The video evidence tendered by the prosecution did not feature the fifth defendant. The only allegation is that he took active part, but in what exactly?” he said, urging the court to acquit him.

He also asked the court to expunge parts of the testimony of the fourth prosecution witness.

Counsel for the sixth defendant, A.O. Olayinka, urged the court to deem her address, dated March 3, 2026, as properly filed and to discharge and acquit her client.

In response, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Bajide Martins, urged the court to convict the defendants, submitting that the evidence before the court established their involvement in the mob attack.

“My Lord saw the witnesses and observed their demeanour,” he said.

After hearing the submissions, Justice Harrison adjourned judgment until June 22, 2026.

At the arraignment, the prosecution had alleged that the defendants unlawfully caused Imoh’s death by beating him and setting him ablaze.

They were also accused of attempting to murder Frank Olatunji and keyboardist Philip Balogun, who were reportedly assaulted during the incident.

All six defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

During the trial, Balogun, one of the victims, told the court that he sustained injuries to his head and ear and was hospitalised for five days at the Federal Medical Centre, Yaba, and Evercare Hospital.

He added that he is still receiving eye treatment in Ikeja.

The witness identified the second defendant as one of his attackers and alleged that the third defendant, Susan Moses, pointed out where Imoh was hiding before he was dragged out and attacked.