A businessman from Ogun State, Ashiru Azeez, has formally requested a review of the legal advice provided by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) regarding a case involving serious allegations of assault and theft. Azeez's petition, submitted to the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, highlights concerns over the reduction of charges against suspects involved in a violent attack on him and his family.

In a petition dated July 31, 2026, Azeez, through his lawyer Ayodeji Ifonlaja, expressed dissatisfaction with the DPP's legal advice issued on February 24, 2026. The advice reportedly acknowledged that Azeez and other victims were violently assaulted and robbed by suspects wielding dangerous weapons, yet many of the original charges filed by the police were allegedly dropped.

According to Ifonlaja, the police had initially recommended around nine serious charges against the suspects, including assault occasioning harm and theft. However, following the DPP's intervention, the charges were significantly reduced to primarily assault-related offences, which carry lighter penalties. Ifonlaja stated, "Our petition demonstrated, with specific reference to the police case file and the DPP’s own findings, that the legal advice expressly acknowledged that the complainant and other victims were violently accosted by the suspects."

The incident occurred when Azeez arrived at Odugboro GRA Extension in Sagamu for a family meeting, only to find his family members in distress after the attack. He recounted how he received a call from the then Commissioner of Police, Alamutu, and discovered bloodshed at the scene. Although eight members of the alleged gang were arrested, only one was brought to court, which Azeez claims was due to the police's assertion that the others had jumped bail.

In light of these developments, Azeez and his family sought the DPP's involvement in the case, but they allege that attempts were made to negotiate the withdrawal of the case. Azeez expressed frustration over the apparent mishandling of the case, stating that the case file seemed to have gone missing within the State Ministry of Justice. He noted that some suspects were reportedly boasting about the case being buried.

Ifonlaja voiced concerns over the handling of the case, emphasizing that the DPP's findings indicated a prima facie case against the suspects. He questioned how serious charges could be omitted from the prosecution despite the DPP recognizing the violent nature of the attack. Furthermore, he highlighted that the suspects continue to enjoy their freedom on bail while the victims await justice.

The Attorney-General, Ogungbade, defended the DPP's decision, asserting that the charges were based on the facts of the case and the surrounding circumstances, which he described as stemming from a land dispute. He clarified that the incident did not meet the criteria for armed robbery, stating, "We will never charge those people for armed robbery because what happened on that day was not armed robbery; it was assault."

Ogungbade further explained that prosecutors have the discretion to determine appropriate charges based on the evidence and the interests of justice. He acknowledged that while an offence may have occurred, the decision to prosecute for a lesser charge or not at all is a part of the legal process.

As Azeez awaits a response to his petition, the case continues to raise questions about the efficacy of the justice system in handling violent crime and ensuring that victims receive the protection they deserve.