The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun on Monday, the 23rd of February, 2026, initiated legal proceedings against four suspected political thugs from Osogbo, charging them with alleged murder and illegal possession of firearms at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The suspects Adejare Waliyu, Kilanko Ismaila Damilare, Kehinde Adeola and Muheeb Taoheeb were brought before Justice Binta Fatima Nyako to answer allegations that they fatally shot one Sheriff during a political disturbance.
According to the prosecution, led by Mr Adeniyi Oyeyemi, Adejare Waliyu was found in unlawful possession of a prohibited pump action rifle, an offence said to contravene Section 27 of the Firearms Act.
In a separate count, the four defendants were accused of using the illegally possessed firearm to kill Sheriff, an offence contrary to Section 319 of the Criminal Code Act, 2004.
The alleged offences were said to have occurred in Osogbo, Osun State, between the 26th of August and the 28th of November, 2022.
When the charges were read in court, all four defendants pleaded not guilty.
While the prosecution sought a trial date, defence counsel, Mr Okon Ita, filed an application urging the court to relocate the proceedings to Osogbo, the scene of the alleged crime. He argued that the offences were committed in Osogbo and that the prosecution’s witnesses reside in the Osun State capital.
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Although he acknowledged that the Federal High Court has jurisdiction nationwide, the defence maintained that, for administrative convenience and in the interest of justice, the matter should be heard where the alleged incident took place.
The prosecution opposed the application, but Justice Nyako upheld the defence’s argument and approved the request.
She directed that the case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/655/2022, be transferred to the Osogbo Division of the Federal High Court, citing administrative convenience and the location of the alleged offence.
The court, however, ordered that the defendants remain in custody at the Force Headquarters in Abuja pending the transfer of the case.