Justice Ibironke Harrison of the Lagos State High Court sitting at Igbosere has adjourned judgment in the trial of commercial motorcyclist, Dahiru Ayuba and five others accused of killing sound engineer David Imoh to June 22, 2026.
The judge fixed the date on Tuesday after counsel for 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 sound engineer 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 against them by the Lagos State Government.
At the resumed proceedings, the court first granted applications by defence counsel for extension of time to regularise their final written addresses, which were filed out of time.
Counsel to the first defendant, A.O. Idowu, informed the court that his client’s final written address was dated April 17, 2026, and urged the court to dismiss the prosecution’s case and discharge and acquit his client.
Steven Eluwa, counsel to the second defendant, said his final written address was dated February 16, 2026, and filed the same day.
He urged the court to discharge and acquit his client, arguing that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
“In response to the prosecution’s final written address, we filed a reply on points of law dated May 4, 2026, wherein we raised important issues of fact. We urge the court to discharge and acquit the second defendant,” he said.
Counsel to the third defendant, Sylvester Effiong, said his final written address was filed on March 30, 2026, and urged the court to resolve all issues for determination in favour of his client.
“We urge this court to discharge and acquit her of all charges,” he said.
Olayinka Lawal, counsel to the fourth defendant, told the court that his client’s final written address was dated and filed on February 18, 2026.
He argued that evidence before the court showed that the second, fourth and fifth defendants testified they did not see the fourth defendant at the scene of the crime.
He further challenged the prosecution’s claim that all defendants made confessional statements to the police.
“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.
He urged the court to acquit his client.
Counsel to the fifth defendant, Yusuf Temilola-Nurudeen, said his final written address was filed on February 12, 2026.
He urged the court to discharge and acquit his client, arguing that none of the six prosecution witnesses directly implicated him in the alleged offences.
He also urged the court to expunge portions of the fourth prosecution witness’s testimony.
“The video evidence tendered by the prosecution did not feature the fifth defendant. The only allegation is that he took an active part, but active participation in what exactly?” he asked.
He further argued that the investigating police officer admitted under cross-examination that he relied substantially on statements obtained during the investigation.
Counsel to the sixth defendant, A.O. Olayinka, urged the court to deem her final written address, dated March 3, 2026, as properly filed and to discharge and acquit her client.
Responding, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr Babajide Martins, urged the court to convict the defendants.
He submitted that the evidence before the court sufficiently established their involvement in the mob attack.
“My Lord saw the witnesses and observed their demeanour,” Martins said.
After hearing the submissions, Justice Harrison adjourned judgment until June 22, 2026.
At the defendants’ arraignment, Dr Martins had alleged that they unlawfully caused Imoh’s death by severely beating and setting him ablaze.
The prosecution also alleged that the defendants attempted to murder one Frank Olatunji and keyboardist Philip Balogun by severely assaulting them during the incident.
All six defendants pleaded not guilty.
During the trial, prosecution witness Philip Balogun, who was also a victim of the mob attack, narrated how he, Olatunji and the late Imoh were attacked.
Balogun 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 in a bar before he was dragged out and attacked.
