Court dismisses murder charge against PDP chairman

Lagos PDP chairman Moshood Salvador

An Ikeja High Court has dismissed the murder charge filed against Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Moshood Salvador.

Mr Salvador was on July 25 remanded in the Kirikiri Prisons following his arraignment at a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court alongside 10 others on a two-count charge of conspiracy and unlawful killing.

Vacation judge, Justice Obafemi Adamson, dismissed the charge on Tuesday after entertaining submissions from counsel in a countersuit challenging the charge filed by Salvador against the state.

Justice Adamson in the ruling said that in view of the advice from the office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) which exonerated the PDP chairman from the murder charge, Salvador should be released from the Kirikiri Prison.

Assistant Director from the DPP, Olaitan Soetan, had earlier informed the court that there was a new “development regarding” Salvador’s prayers in the countersuit.

Salvador’s counsel, Lawal Pedro (SAN), also told the court: “the matter has been overtaken by circumstances.

He urged the court to still grant all prayers sought.

Salvador and the 10 other defendants were charged over alleged murder of PDP Chairman of the Apapa Local Government Area, Adeniyi Aborishade.

Mr Aborishade was allegedly murdered on July 21, during the PDP “visitation meeting” that held at Igbosuku Village, Eti-Osa LGA.

The offences contravene Sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.