The Lagos State Government has dismissed allegations circulating in a viral video that a minor, Michael Adekunle, is being unlawfully detained at the Kirikiri Custodial Centre, describing the claims as misleading and a calculated attempt to generate public sympathy.
The controversy followed a video by
social media influencer Seaking, who alleged that during a visit to the
facility, the detainee claimed he was 14 years old at the time of his arrest in
2023 but was recorded by the police as 18.
The influencer also claimed the suspect
was forced to adopt the name Michael Adebiyi instead of Michael Adekunle,
insisting the detainee is currently 17 years old.
However, the Lagos State
Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), refuted the
claims, maintaining that the individual in custody is Michael Adebiyi, who was
18 years old at the time of his arrest.
Pedro disclosed that Adebiyi was
arrested in 2022 alongside two others Adedeji Kabiru and Adekunle Waris over
alleged armed robbery.
According to him, the Lagos State
Ministry of Justice received the duplicate case file on January 6, 2023,
and issued legal advice on January 25, 2023, after reviewing evidence in the
police file.
“The available evidence established a
prima facie case against Adebiyi and Kabiru for conspiracy to commit robbery
and armed robbery under Sections 299 and 297(2)(a) of the Lagos State
Criminal Law, 2015,” he said.
He added that the third suspect,
Adekunle Waris, was recommended for discharge after investigations failed to
link him to the alleged offences.
The Attorney-General further explained
that the state filed charges against Adebiyi and Kabiru before the High Court
on May 31, 2023.
The case was initially assigned to
Justice A.J. Coker but later reassigned to Justice Hakeem Oshodi following
Coker’s deployment on national duty.
Providing an update, Pedro said the
prosecution has closed its case after calling witnesses, while the defence has
filed a no-case submission, served on the prosecution on April 23, 2026.
The matter has been adjourned to July 1,
2026, for hearing of the no-case submission.
Pedro stressed that at no point during proceedings did the defendant or his
counsel raise any issue regarding age or identity before the court a move that
would have triggered an inquiry under Section 206 of the Administration of
Criminal Justice Law, 2015.
“The facts contained in the
extra-judicial statement of the defendant clearly indicate that his name is
Michael Adebiyi and that he was 18 years old at the time of arrest.”
He urged the public to disregard the
viral claims, describing them as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public,
inflame sentiment, and interfere with due judicial process.
Pedro reaffirmed the state government’s
commitment to the rule of law, insisting that all criminal proceedings are
being conducted in line with due process and established legal standards.
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