Notorious Lagos cultist remanded in Kirikiri over double murder, cultism charges

Ikeja, Lagos – An Ikeja High Court in Lagos State has ordered the remand of Wasiu Akinwande, popularly known as 'Olori Eso', a 44-year-old alleged serial killer and cult kingpin, alongside two accomplices, Qudus Egbere and Sola Edun-Tomiwa, at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending trial.

The defendants face a five-count amended charge including conspiracy to murder, murder, and membership of an unlawful society.

The trio pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on Monday before Justice Oyindamola Ogala.

State Counsel Olarewaju Azeez informed the court that the offences occurred on July 31, 2024, around 11:00 a.m. on Moshalashi Street in Mushin, Lagos, where the defendants and others at large allegedly used machetes and firearms to kill Bolanle Yusuf and Yusuf Ramadan following a "misunderstanding."

The prosecution further accused them of belonging to the Eiye Confraternity, a prohibited group under Section 2(3)(a) of the Lagos State Unlawful Societies and Cultism (Prohibition) Law of 2021.

The murders violate Sections 223 and 233 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Justice Ogala adjourned the case to January 19, 2026, for the commencement of trial and denied bail, remanding the defendants in custody.

Akinwande, described by police as Lagos' "most wanted vicious and notorious hired killer," has a long history of alleged violent crimes spanning over a decade.

He was arrested in June 2025 in Agbado, Ogun State, after evading capture, with authorities recovering sophisticated firearms and linking him to multiple murders, including those in Mushin, Idi-Araba, Surulere, and Fadeyi.

Earlier in August 2025, he faced separate charges at a magistrate court for similar offences, including the July 31 killings.

The case highlights ongoing efforts to curb cult-related violence in Lagos, particularly in areas like Mushin plagued by gang clashes.

Families of victims have long sought justice, with police noting Akinwande's reign of terror since 2009.

The trial is expected to draw significant attention as prosecutors push for accountability in one of Lagos' most high-profile cultism cases.