The arraignment of an alleged notorious gang leader, Wasiu Akinwande, aka Olori Eso, and two others, could not proceed on Wednesday following an error in the name of a defendant .
By Adenike Ayodele
The arraignment of an alleged notorious gang leader, Wasiu Akinwande, aka Olori Eso, and two others, could not proceed on Wednesday following an error in the name of a defendant .
Akinwande, 44, Qudus Egbere, and Sola Edun-Tomiwa, are charged on five-counts before Justice Oyindamola Ogala, bordering on alleged murder and other related offences.
When the case was called on Wednesday, the defendants entered the docked.
The judge noted that it was the first time Olori Eso was appearing in court, as his absence had previously stalled two scheduled arraignments, adding that the court had also been informed that his whereabouts was unknown.
Meanwhile, the court was informed that the name of the third defendant was wrongly spelt as Wasiu Oluye-Oso on the charge sheet.
Upon enquiry from the third defendant, he confirmed to the court that his real name is Wasiu Akinwande and that he is also known as Olori Eso.
The prosecutor, a State Counsel, Mr Olarewaju Azeez, then reminded the court that the case was for arraignment.
In response, Akinwande’s counsel, Mr Mike Okandeji requested for an adjournment on the grounds that he was appearing in the case for the first time, and that he was yet to be served with the charge.
The prosecutor then offered him an extra copy of the charge sheet but the counsel for the first defendant, Mr Olanrewaju Ajanaku, urged the court to instead, adjourn the case, and allow the prosecution correct the error identified in the charge.
The court agreed with Ajanaku’s position.
The judge allowed the second defendant (Sola Edun), who had been on bail, to return home.
The court consequently, ordered a remand of the other defendants at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre, and adjourned the case until Nov. 10 for arraignment.
Egbere, Akinwande and others at large, were alleged to have murdered two persons, Bolanle Yusuf and Yusuf Ramadan, on July 31, 2024, about 11.00 a.m. on Mashalasi Street, Mushin, Lagos.
The prosecution also accused the defendants of belonging to an unlawful society.
The offences contravene the provisions of section 2(3)(a) of the Unlawful Societies and Cultism (Prohibition) Law of Lagos State, 2021.
It also contravenes the provision of sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)