The Lagos State Ministry of Justice has withdrawn the murder charge against Tajudeen Bakare, one of the 48 people arrested in Lagos during the Yoruba nation protests.

The development followed the striking out of the charge by the Directorate of Public Prosecution for lack of evidence.

Bakare was arrested together with 47 others during the July 3 Yoruba Nation rally in Lagos.

They were charged with murder, unlawful assembly, unlawful society, and conduct likely to cause the breach of public peace.

Police particularly charged Bakare with the killing of Jumoke Oyeleke, a 25-year-old trader who was allegedly hit by a stray bullet while the police were dispersing the protesters during the rally.

Police said they found a Beretta pistol and two live ammunition with him, which they alleged he killed Oyeleke with.

But the Directorate of Public Prosecution on Wednesday struck out the murder charge due to lack of evidence.

Speaking with newsmen, Supo Ojo, the counsel to Ilana Omo Oodua, said other charges are still in place but the murder charge against Bakare had been removed.

“The murder charge has been removed by the Directorate of Public Prosecution because there was nothing in the police investigation to confirm that the man killed anybody.

“The police were just playing pranks. They were trying to shift responsibility for the death of that lady they killed,” Ojo said.

The lawyer to the group said they have witness’ account and the coroner’s proceeding, which confirmed the cause of death.

“We will get to the root of the matter. We will hold the police accountable for that,” he said.

Ms. Oyeleke was killed by a stray bullet during the rally as police officers fired guns and tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd.

The police, however, denied responsibility for the death, saying their officers “did not fire a single live bullet” at the rally.

Bakare remained in custody due to the murder charge while 47 other agitators were released on bail.

Following the new development, the counsel to the group confirmed that he has now been released from custody.