A Lagos Magistrate Court sitting in Ogba, presided over by Magistrate Mobolaji Tanimola, has ordered the 30-day remand of a 44-year-old man, Wasiu Akinwande, popularly known as Olori Esho, at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre. This order comes amid serious allegations including multiple murders, unlawful possession of firearms, and membership in a banned group.
The remand is to allow time for legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) regarding the 11-count charge filed against him by the Nigeria Police Force. The charges include conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, possession of illegal arms, belonging to an unlawful society, assault, property-related crimes, and unlawful possession of international passports.
According to the police prosecutor, Nosa Uhumwangho, the defendant was arrested on June 20, 2025, in Alagbado, Lagos, after being on the run. He and unnamed accomplices allegedly committed several crimes across areas including Mushin, Idi-Araba, Surulere, and Fadeyi between December 2010 and April 2025.
One of the incidents involved the fatal shooting of two men, Yusuf Bolakale (30) and Yusuf Ramadan (23), with an AK-47 at Mosalashi Street, Mushin. Another allegation links Akinwande to the 2010 killing of a 10-year-old girl, Aminat Lateef, at Tiamiyu Street, Fadeyi.
He is also accused of killing six individuals during a violent clash between rival groups on July 31, 2024, at Idi-Araba. The victims included persons identified only as Anyila and Ojajo, along with four others.
The prosecution further claimed that the defendant was found with a large cache of arms, including a K2 assault rifle, two AK-47 rifles, two locally made pistols, 70 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 27 rounds of 9mm ammunition, 57 cartridges, three walkie-talkies, and a poisonous dagger—none of which he could account for.
In another case, Akinwande allegedly shot a 58-year-old woman, Awawu Ajalara, in both legs in February 2011, leaving her permanently disabled. He is also said to have broken into a residence in Surulere on April 5, 2025, where he tied up a man named Mohammad Ali while demanding information about his employer.
The prosecution also linked him to property seizures carried out between 2009 and 2022 in Mushin, reportedly using threats and force. In addition, several stolen passports belonging to both Nigerians and foreigners from countries such as Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Cameroon were allegedly recovered from him.
The prosecutor said the defendant failed to explain how he obtained 13 passports, all containing valid visas. He also confirmed that multiple firearms had been presented as evidence in court.
The offenses are said to violate sections of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2015, the Firearms Act of 2004, and the Lagos State Property Protection Law of 2016.
Although the charges were presented, Akinwande’s plea was not taken during the session. Prosecutor Uhumwangho had asked the court to remand the defendant in police custody, citing the need to complete investigations. However, defence counsel Adejare Kembi opposed the request, claiming he had not been allowed access to his client.
While agreeing to the remand request, Magistrate Tanimola directed that the defendant be held at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre instead of police custody, in the interest of fairness. The case was adjourned to September 4, 2025, pending DPP advice.
