Lawyer Raises Alarm Over Alleged Threat to Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi's Life in Police Custody Says defendant was abandoned in ambulance, left without police guard despite deteriorating health

A member of the defence team representing Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi has expressed concern over what he described as a possible threat to his client's life while in police custody, alleging that recent developments have heightened fears previously expressed by the defendant's family.

The concerns followed proceedings before Hon. Justice A.T. Muyideen of the Lagos State High Court on Thursday, June 25, 2026.

According to the defence, Akanbi, who is facing criminal prosecution, was transported to court in an ambulance and placed on oxygen support due to his deteriorating health. The court subsequently ordered that he be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

However, the defence said officials at the correctional facility declined to admit the defendant, citing his medical condition, and instructed the police to return him to their custody.

Following the development, the court reportedly issued a fresh directive ordering the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, to retain Akanbi in police custody.

Despite the court's order, the defence alleged that the defendant was abandoned inside an ambulance for more than four hours along Oba Akinjobi Way, Ikeja, before he was eventually admitted to the Police Hospital, Ikeja, at about 9:00 p.m.

Speaking after visiting his client on Friday evening, one of the lead defence counsel, Adedotun Ajulo, Esq., expressed concern over what he described as the absence of security around the defendant.

"I visited my client at about 8:00 p.m. and was shocked to discover that there was no armed police officer stationed with him," Ajulo said.

The lawyer noted that Akanbi had previously been under constant armed guard while receiving treatment at the Police Hospital from June 14 and was escorted to court by more than 20 armed police officers.

"The sudden withdrawal of security at this critical stage raises serious concerns about his safety," he stated.

Ajulo further alleged that his client has remained in custody for over 60 days, adding that members of Akanbi's family have consistently maintained that their fear was not merely prosecution but what they described as a systematic attempt to end his life.

"The present circumstances appear to reinforce those fears," the lawyer said.

He called on the Lagos State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, and other relevant authorities to ensure that the defendant's constitutional right to life is protected while in custody.

As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command had not issued any official response to the allegations made by the defence counsel.

Editor's Note: The allegations contained in this report are those of the defendant's legal representatives. The Nigeria Police Force has not publicly responded to the claims at the time of publication.