44-year-old Wasiu Akinwande, popularly known by the nickname, Olori Esho is currently behind bars after being charged with multiple murders and other serious crimes in Lagos.
Olori Esho was brought before Chief Magistrate Mobolaji Tanimola on Tuesday, where he was ordered to be remanded at Kirikiri Correctional Centre for 30 days.
The police say Akinwande is not just any criminal, he was described as the leader of a deadly gang responsible for years of violent killings across areas like Mushin, Idi-Araba, Surulere, and Fadeyi, in Lagos State.
He is facing 11 serious charges including conspiracy, murder, attempted murder, illegal gun possession, gang membership, grievous bodily harm, and even having multiple international passports with different identities.
According to the police report, Olori Esho’s alleged crimes span from 2010 to as recent as July 2024. One of the most heartbreaking cases was the murder of a 10-year-old girl, Aminat Lateef, who was killed while running an errand in 2010.
In July of same year, he allegedly shot and killed two young men, 30-year-old Yusuf Bolakale and 23-year-old Yusuf Ramadan, in Mushin. Just weeks later, he was reportedly involved in the killing of six more people during a gang clash in Idi-Araba.
Police say Olori Esho went into hiding in Alagbado, but was finally caught in June.
When he was arrested, the Lagos police alleged that on him was found nine AK-47 rifles, two pump action guns, two pistols, and 13 different passports with valid visas under strange names.
At the court hearing, the police prosecutor, Nosa Uhumwangho, requested that the suspect be kept in police custody while investigations continue. But the defence lawyer, Adejare Kembi, objected, saying the accused needed to be moved to a proper correctional centre so he could have access to legal support.
The Magistrate agreed with the defence and ordered the suspect to be held at Kirikiri prison until September 4, when the case will continue.
