Justice Oyindamola Ogala of the Federal High Court in Lagos, on Wednesday, fixed November 10, 2025, for the arraignment of an alleged notorious gang leader and hired killer, Wasiu Akinwande, also known as Olori Eso, along with two others.
Olori Eso, alongside Qudus Egbere and Sola Edun, are facing a five-count charge of murder and related offences contrary to Section 223 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants and others, who were at large, were accused by the Lagos State government of murdering two individuals, Bolanle Yusuf and Yusuf Ramadan, on or about July 31, 2024, at approximately 11:00 a.m. on Mashalasi Street, Mushin, Lagos State.
They were accused by the prosecution of conspiring to commit the acts, contrary to Section 233 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The defendants were further accused of belonging to an unlawful society, in violation of Section 2(3)(a) of the Unlawful Societies and Cultism (Prohibition) Law of Lagos State, 2021.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Wednesday, all defendants were present in the court.
The judge noted that this was the first time Olori Eso had appeared in court, as his absence had caused the delay of their arraignment at two previous hearings.
The judge also pointed out that the court had previously been informed that Olori Eso’s whereabout was unknown.
It was also brought to the court’s attention that the name of the third defendant had been incorrectly spelt as Wasiu Oluye-Oso on the charge sheet.
Upon inquiry, the third defendant clarified that his actual name is Wasiu Akinwande and that his alias is Olori-Eso.
When asked by the judge about the purpose of the day’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel Olaleye Azeez stated that the State was ready for the arraignment.
However, Olori Eso’s counsel, M. Okandeji, urged the court to adjourn the arraignment, explaining that he had not yet been served with the charge sheet and that he was appearing in the matter for the first time.
The prosecutor offered an extra copy of the charge sheet, but counsel for the first defendant, Olanrewaju Ajanaku, urged the court to adjourn the arraignment to allow the prosecution to correct the errors in the charge sheet.
The judge agreed with Ajanaku’s request and allowed the second defendant, Sola Edun, who had been on bail, to return home after an undertaking from his mother to stand as surety for him, along with his counsel, I.C. Val, assuring that he would be present at the next court date.
The court also ordered that other defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) in Kirikiri Custodial Centre pending the commencement of the trial.
