The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has issued a clarification regarding the charges against a teenager and an adult, who were reported to have been detained over a pair of slippers. The Ministry confirmed that the duo was actually charged with conspiracy to commit robbery and armed robbery.

In a statement released by Adebayo Haroun, the Director of Public Prosecutions, the charges stem from an incident where the defendants allegedly participated in the robbery of a man identified as Daniel Lucky Danjuma. The charges were filed under Sections 299 and 297(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015, following claims that the assailants stole Danjuma's iPhone 13 Pro Max and a gold chain.

The case, originally assigned to Justice Adenike Coker of the Ikeja High Court, has seen a series of developments since its filing on May 31, 2023. It was later transferred to Justice Hakeem Oshodi in October 2025 due to Coker’s national assignment. The pleas of the defendants were recorded on October 13, 2025, and the trial was subsequently scheduled.

Haroun detailed that the prosecution had listed Danjuma and two police investigators, ASP Dolapo and Inspector Omozuafo Martins, as witnesses. However, the prosecution faced challenges in securing Danjuma's attendance in court due to his phone being unreachable, which hindered the progress of the trial.

On December 10, 2025, the prosecution began its case with testimony from Inspector Martins, who recounted how Danjuma had identified the defendants as part of the gang that attacked him. According to the police report, Danjuma and a friend had boarded a “one-chance” bus on November 27, 2022, and were later confronted by armed men who robbed them.

Despite the initial identification of the defendants, the prosecution was unable to present Danjuma in court, leading to the closure of their case. Following this, the defendants' counsel filed a no-case submission, arguing that the evidence presented was insufficient. On September 29, 2026, Justice Oshodi upheld the no-case submission and discharged the defendants, citing the absence of the key witness as a significant factor.

Haroun emphasized that the prosecution could not fabricate evidence in the absence of the complainant, highlighting the critical role of public participation in the judicial process. He refuted claims that the defendants were detained solely due to slippers, stating that they were charged with serious offenses involving dangerous weapons.

The DPP reiterated the commitment of the Attorney-General's office to uphold justice and prevent any misuse of the legal system, emphasizing the importance of witness cooperation in criminal cases.