Court Reserves Ruling on Ahmed Tajudeen's Remand, Extends Ikoyi Correctional Centre Order

A Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere on Friday deferred ruling on an application seeking to have defendant Ahmed Tajudeen remanded in police custody for medical treatment, extending an earlier order remanding him at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

 

The case, presided over by Honourable Justice Muyideen in Court 7, commenced at about 10:30 a.m. with two of the three defendants present. Ahmed Tajudeen was initially absent from the courtroom.

 

Lead defence counsel, Barrister Olalekan (SAN), who appeared alongside Barrister Ajulo and six other lawyers for Tajudeen, informed the court that his client was on his way and requested that the matter be stood down. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) announced his appearance for the prosecution, and the court granted the application.

 

When proceedings resumed at about 11:23 a.m., Tajudeen was brought into the courtroom in a wheelchair. The charges were read to all the defendants, and each pleaded not guilty.

 

During arguments on bail and remand, the defence informed the court that it had filed a bail application, while the prosecution had responded with a counter-affidavit. Counsel also told the court that the Ikoyi Correctional Centre had declined to admit Tajudeen because of his deteriorating health, resulting in his transfer to the Police Medical Centre at Area F, Ileja.

 

According to the defence, medical examinations at the Police Hospital diagnosed Tajudeen with Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease.

 

The defence subsequently urged the court to remand Tajudeen in police custody to facilitate his treatment at the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, while also asking the court to grant his substantive bail application.

 

The prosecution opposed the request, arguing that the Nigerian Correctional Service remains the statutory agency responsible for the custody of inmates and possesses adequate capacity to manage inmates' medical needs, including referrals to the Federal Medical Centre where necessary.

 

Justice Muyideen declined to rule immediately on the applications, citing concerns over an earlier incident in which the Ikoyi Correctional Centre allegedly refused to take custody of the defendant and returned him to court.

 

The judge expressed dissatisfaction with the development, warning against any action capable of undermining the administration of justice. He stated that he was reluctant to make an order that might not be complied with.

 

Proceedings briefly became heated as the lead defence counsel and the Director of Public Prosecutions engaged in a sharp exchange over the issues before the court. Order was eventually restored before the court adjourned briefly at about 12:20 p.m. and resumed at 12:35 p.m.

 

In his ruling, Justice Muyideen held that a decision on the remand application would be deferred until a senior official of the Nigerian Correctional Service appears before the court to clarify the issues surrounding the defendant's custody and medical care.

 

Pending that clarification, the court extended its earlier order remanding Ahmed Tajudeen at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

 

The case was subsequently adjourned to November 3, November 5, and other dates in November 2026 for the continuation of proceedings.