Crime & Court
Ibadan Trans Wonderland Killing: Eyewitnesses, guard accounts contradict Taiwo Adeleke’s narrative
FURTHER investigation jointly conducted by Mega Icon Magazine and National Insight News revealed differences on how Kehinde Adeleke was shot dead at Pete’s Bar & Lounge housed by Trans Wonderland, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Witnesses to the unfortunate incident have contradicted the allegation of murder leveled against the owner of Pete’s Bar & Lounge, Mr. Seyi Olusa popularly addressed as ‘ Father Luski’ by the twin brother of the deceased, Taiwo Adeleke.
The two witnesses and a security guard whom were at the scene of the incident that led to the demise and eventual closure of the bar by the Oyo state government also gave differing accounts of what transpired.
The security guard who was at the car park gave a comprehensive account of the investigation into the death of Kehinde Adeleke on Friday, including witnesses reports that contradicted the earlier claim, absolving Mr Seyi of killing the 30 year old young man last week Monday, February 26th, 2018.
Mr Taiwo Adeleke had earlier alleged that the owner of the bar, Mr Seyi collected a riffle hanged on the shoulder from one of his friends, an officer attached to the security outfit codenamed ‘Operation Burst’ launched by the Oyo state government to curb criminal activities in the state and shot his twin brother.
Some media also reported that it was accidental discharge from an army officer in the team of operation burst that hit him on the neck and unfortunately the victim could not survive after massive blood loss.
It was reliably gathered that the deceased was buried on Thursday, March 1st, 2018, while Mr Seyi who was alleged of murder has been detained by the police for further interrogation.
One of the Security guards working with Pete’s Bar & Lounge who was at the car park and witnessed the incident, Mr. Alade Samuel narrated: “ I was at the car park when the deceased younger brother simply identified as Damola engaged another customer in a fight over parking lot. Damola who had earlier parked his car at a particular spot at the parking lot left the premises to get something outside Trans Wonderland premises and while driving in, another customer was already parking his car at the same spot where he had earlier parked. He ordered the guy to leave his space but being a public place, the guy declined and ignored him. Damola, then left his car to block that guy. They argued and later engaged in physical combat.
“It was their noises that attracted our boss, Mr Seyi and some other people whom were around came out to settle the dispute, but Damola was adamant and not yielding. He (Damola) insisted on beating the guy, while that was going on; the Operation Burst team came in and many people including, Mr Seyi and his friends returned to their tables”.
“ The soldier man asked both guys fighting to kneel down but Damola was adamant and the soldier hit him on the head with the cane in his hand and he went down immediately, pretending as if he had died but while going down he asked one of the people around to help call his brothers. On hearing their voices, he stood up and started shouting, bragging and pointing at the soldiers. The twin brother of the deceased, Taiwo and Damola were trying to take the gun from the soldier, it was in the process of dragging the gun that the man started shooting into the air to disperse them but the guys were not deterred , they have attempted that before, in fact he once slapped a military man, it was my boss (Mr Seyi) and his friends that settled the matter that day “
“It was one of the stray bullets that hitted Kehinde and he fell down. Damola and his friends went on rampage, they were trying to cause more trouble leaving their brother lying in a pool of his own blood. Later they took him and rush him out to where I don’t know, but few minutes later more than 20 guys resurfaced with broken bottles and other unidentified weapons, I also ran for cover till they left the place”, Alade submitted.
Lifeless body of the deceased, Kehinde Adeleke
In a related development, other witnesses who claimed to be regular customers at Pete’s Bar & Lounge punctured the allegation raised against Mr Seyi, the owner of the bar, describing it as baseless, lies and a calculated attempt to implicate him.
One of the witnesses, a friend to Mr Seyi who had some cuts on his fore head, hands and legs recounted how he narrowly escaped death from the guys who abducted him.
He said : ” I was at the scene earlier but when we saw that the security people were on ground, everybody went back to where we were seated earlier including Mr. Seyi. About 10 – 12 minutes later, we started hearing continuous gunshots, accompanied by a loud voice, ‘leave me alone’. By the time the gun shots went down, we realized what was going on, these boys were almost 50, they came out attacking almost everybody, I personally was attacked. We were trying to find out what led to that before one of the guys now came and said somebody was hit by the bullet and the boys were shouting that we are the one that called Operation Burst, the whole thing was other way round.
The witness who confided in our reporters narrated further: “Along the line, I personally was abducted wanted to be taken away by these boys, he hit me with a bottle on my head, I was beaten up mercilessly, a lot of things were destroyed; along the line I was fortunate I escaped. My friends now have to take me to the clinic. I was at the clinic overnight and when I came back in the morning (Tuesday), the next thing I saw on the internet was that the owner of the bar took a gun from the soldier and shot Kehinde (deceased). I was wondering, how is that possible?”.
“Very unfortunate that Kehinde is dead, a very painful thing because he was a very nice guy, he is the one that usually curtail the excesses of his twin brother and other people around him , he is a peace loving guy”, he added.
Taiwo Adeleke’s Story:
Taiwo Adeleke, the deceased twin brother who took to his Facebook page on Wednesday, February 28th, 2018 at exactly 4:40Pm with the Facebook Profile name “Adeleke Taiwo Ebony wrote :
When will the federal government and the house make laws that will restrict the Military and uniform men from carrying ammunition at civil gatherings. When will our law enforcement agencies stop killing those they are meant to protect?
On Monday 26th of February at exactly 6:45pm, myself( Adeleke Taiwo) Kehinde and some of our friends got to trans to chill after the day’s work. That is how we have been going there since 2016 without causing any trouble in the vicinity. Before now, we have always been seeing men of the operation Burst with Seyi (Fathers Luski) the owner of the Bar. They drink, chat and smoke together on a daily basis. He always use them as a tool of oppression over anyone who question him. At exactly 7:20pm, Kehinde Adeleke, a young, intelligent and friendly young man who just clocked 30 years last month was shot with a gun of one of the men of the operation Burst constituted by the Abiola Ajimobi led government in Oyo state at the Trans Amusement Park around Agbowo.
It was gathered that, Kehinde who was killed by Father Luski and men of the operation burst sent his immediate younger brother Damola an errand to get him food. On Damola’s return, some guys were arguing with him for parking space and all of a sudden the guy slapped Damola Adeleke. Someone went to call Kehinde Adeleke that his younger brother Damola is being beaten up by some guys. On getting there, Kehinde was trying to inquire what transpired between the duo.
However, during the conversation, Seyi( Father Luski) the owner of the bar appeared with some men of the Operation Burst who even without any question from those involved in an argument asked father Luski what was wrong then father Luski pointed to Damola Adeleke as the trouble maker. Immediately he said that, one of the men of the operation Burst smashed a big stick on Damola’s head who fainted immediately. People rushed to get water and pour it on him. As that was going on, Kehinde was telling Father Luski that he has not done well that he supposed to settle this and not put blame on one person. The argument went on for almost 5minutes before Father Luski became angry and collected riffle hanged on the shoulder from one of his friends (Men of the Operation Burst) then shot Kehinde in the neck which I was there with the owner of the Bar (seyi AKA father luski ), I was the one hold and dragged the owner of the bar (seyi) in to my car that he had killed my immediately twin brother which he could not escaped. When people heard the gun shot, everywhere was scattered . The operation burst now started spraying gun shots around the premises.
The remaining men of the operation burst ran away but when they got to know that The second in command and the owner of the bar that shot kehinde Adeleke which is called Father Luski has been apprehended by Kehinde’s brothers and friends, the operation burst locked the Trans gate and prevented them from taking Kehinde to the hospital for over 30min.
Tope was the one driving the car where Kehinde was kept. Some men of the operation burst pointed gun to his head that he should open the door for The apprehended culprit to escape.
Immediately when we left there, we took Kehinde Adeleke to UCH, he was rejected, we immediately took him to Eleyele police Hospital at the police headquarters, the Doctors there said he was still alive but they don’t have necessary tools to carry out any surgery on him that we should take him to Molly Hospital at IDI APE. When we discovered that these hospitals are not attending to us, we called our friend and Brother, Babatunde Badmus who then help us took him to Molly Hospital from Eleyele. On getting to Molly hospital, we were told by the doctor who attended to us that they couldn’t feel any pulse again. Then we went to UCH to reaffirm that. On getting to UCH, we saw three patrol vans of operation burst fully loaded with men and ammunition. They blocked the normal entrance then we took the exit so that we can get to the emergency ward. While we were going to Molly hospital, two of our friends who could not follow the car we were carrying took bike and waited for us at the emergency gate of UCH. It was later realized that men of the operation burst arrested these two guys, tortured them and asked them to call us to come out that they want to arrest all of us.( Those guys were not handed over to the police for questioning but we’re brutally tortured overnight by the operation burst in their office around NTA IBADAN. They failed to arrest us because of our number and our peaceful resistance coordinated by Babatunde Badmus who helped us to drive him to all the hospitals. Immediately when we entered the emergency, the colonel in charge of the Operation Burst commanded his men to take positions as if they want to wage war against us. They started corking their guns and pointing it at us. Then Babatunde Badmus went to meet the leader of the team and have a discussion with him on why should his men bring ammunition to the hospital where civilians are being treated? But he had no tangible answer. At the end, we had some videos of the Operation Burst fully armed inside the hospital and how they were ready to kill more people. We all went there without any ammunition. We were only sad because our brother was killed yet, we were being victimized by the law enforcement agencies.
We later took him to the Mortuary with some men of Sango Police station where his body was kept.
However, Mega Icon Magazine learnt that, both the complainant and the respondent had earlier presented their stories before the police and investigation continues.
Crime & Court
UNIBEN killing: Edo security squad arrests 12 suspected cultists, seals initiation centres
Security operatives in Edo State have arrested 12 suspected cultists and sealed two apartments allegedly used as initiation centres during coordinated raids across parts of Benin City following the killing of a young man near the gate of the University of Benin.
The operation, code-named “Operation Flush Out Cultists and Kidnappers,” was carried out by the state’s Special Security Squad after the killing recorded on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Patrick Ebojele.
According to the statement, the Chief Security Officer and Principal Security Officer to the governor led the raids conducted in Ekosodin, Isihor, Old Road off S&T Barracks, Airport Road, 19th Street Ugbowo, Ogba-Evbuodia and Evbuomore Quarters, all in Benin City.
Spokesman for the security squad, Noah Idemudia, alleged that some youth leaders within communities in the state were aiding violent crimes and harbouring criminal elements.
He said intelligence reports indicated that sophisticated weapons used in deadly attacks were often traced to communities across the state.
“Reports reaching us indicate that some persons are allegedly harbouring criminals. Intelligence reports also suggest that sophisticated weapons used in deadly attacks on citizens are allegedly sourced from communities.
“The governor is warning community leaders to maintain peace in their various communities and ensure that no unlicensed weapons are found in their possession, as they will be held liable and treated as criminals,” Idemudia said.
He, however, clarified that the 12 suspects arrested were not directly linked to the killing near the university gate.
According to him, the suspects were allegedly identified as members of different cult groups after security operatives reportedly discovered symbols, signs and other incriminating materials on them during the raids.
Idemudia added that the suspects had been handed over to the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Nigeria Police Force for profiling and further investigation.
Speaking on the properties sealed during the operation, he said one of the apartments was allegedly being used as a cult initiation centre.
He explained that operatives came under attack while attempting to arrest suspects at the location, forcing authorities to seal the premises and invite the property owner for questioning.
He added that another apartment raided allegedly contained shrines and fetish items scattered across several rooms, which investigators suspect were being used for initiation into different confraternities.
According to him, the owner of the property had also been invited for questioning by security agencies.
“The governor has warned those sponsoring cultism and violent killings in the state to desist immediately.
“Anyone found aiding criminality in Edo State will face the full weight of the law, as the state will no longer be conducive for criminal elements,” Idemudia added.
He also warned against unlawful gatherings, alleging that some cult groups were planning anniversary celebrations across the state.
A Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday convicted and sentenced former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, to a cumulative 75 years imprisonment in absentia over a ₦33.8bn money laundering scandal linked to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects.
The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, found Mamman guilty on all 12 counts bordering on conspiracy and money laundering filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The judge ruled that the prison terms would run consecutively, bringing the total sentence to 75 years.
Justice Omotosho held that Mamman deliberately absented himself from court on the day of judgment and during the previous adjourned sitting in a bid to frustrate the administration of justice.
He agreed with counsel for the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), that the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 empowered the court to proceed with sentencing despite the defendant’s absence.
The court consequently sentenced the former minister to seven years imprisonment each on Counts 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 without an option of fine.
Mamman was also sentenced to three years imprisonment on Count 4 with an option of a ₦10m fine, and two years imprisonment on Count 5 without an option of fine.
Justice Omotosho further ordered that the sentence would commence from the date of Mamman’s arrest since he was convicted in absentia.
The judge directed security agencies within and outside Nigeria, including Interpol, to arrest the convict wherever he is found and hand him over to the Nigerian Correctional Service to serve his jail term.
The court also ordered the final forfeiture of two Abuja properties linked to the former minister, alongside various sums recovered in different currencies by anti-graft agencies.
In addition, the court ordered Mamman to refund the outstanding balance from the ₦22bn already traced to the Zungeru and Mambilla hydroelectric power projects out of the ₦33.8bn allegedly diverted.
The conviction followed a lengthy trial instituted by the EFCC, which accused Mamman of conspiring with ministry officials and private companies to divert funds earmarked for the two power projects.
Mamman was arraigned on July 11, 2024 on a 12-count charge and pleaded not guilty.
During the trial, the EFCC called 17 witnesses and tendered 43 exhibits to support its case.
Following the close of the prosecution’s case, the former minister filed a no-case submission on November 19, 2025, contending that the EFCC had failed to establish sufficient evidence against him.
However, Justice Omotosho, in a ruling delivered on December 11, 2025, dismissed the application and held that the prosecution had established a prima facie case requiring the defendant to open his defence.
The matter was subsequently adjourned for continuation of defence before Wednesday’s judgment brought the proceedings to a close.
The case, regarded as one of the most significant corruption convictions in recent years, stemmed from Mamman’s arrest and detention by the EFCC on May 10, 2021.
The fourth defendant in the alleged coup plot trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja, Zekeri Umoru, on Tuesday denied knowledge of any plan to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government, declaring in a recorded statement played in court that he was “misled”.
Umoru, a maintenance worker at the Presidential Villa engaged by a construction firm, made the claim in a video recording tendered by the prosecution as part of evidence against six defendants standing trial over the alleged plot.
In the footage played in open court, the defendant told investigators that he was introduced to key figures in the case by the third defendant, Inspector Ahmed Ibrahim, who is attached to the Presidential Clinic.
He said Ibrahim introduced him to one Hassan Mohammed, whom he later discovered to be Colonel Mohammed Ma’aji.
Umoru explained that he initially believed Ma’aji was a civilian businessman who intended to engage him for electrical work at a building under construction.
He, however, told investigators that he subsequently received several cash payments from Ma’aji during meetings attended by Ibrahim and another associate identified as Usman.
Recounting one of such meetings at a bar, Umoru said Ma’aji allegedly gave between N100,000 and ₦120,000 to him and others after buying drinks and asking about their professions.
He further disclosed that on September 24, 2025, Ma’aji allegedly handed him a “Ghana Must Go” bag filled with cash.
According to him, he deposited the money in a bank, where it was counted and confirmed to be N8.8m.
He added that an additional N2m was allegedly given to him the following day during another meeting involving Inspector Ibrahim.
Umoru told investigators that he became uneasy over the repeated cash payments and demanded an explanation from Ibrahim.
He claimed that Ibrahim told him Ma’aji was dissatisfied with the state of the country and intended to “sanitise the government” with the support of unnamed associates described as “boys”.
The defendant further alleged that discussions included plans to involve an ambulance driver to facilitate access into the Presidential Villa, with promises of financial rewards.
Despite the revelations, Umoru maintained that he had no knowledge of any coup plot.
“I was misled,” he said, adding that he would have distanced himself from Ma’aji had he known he was a military officer or had intentions beyond business.
Umoru also admitted escorting Usman into the Presidential Villa, noting that security personnel granted access after he identified the visitor as someone who came to see him.
He added that he later caught Usman taking photographs in his office and warned him to desist.
The defendant expressed regret during the interview, apologised to his employers, and affirmed his support for President Tinubu’s administration.
The court also viewed a separate video involving an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Imam Kassim Goni, who similarly denied involvement in the alleged plot.
Goni told investigators that funds he received from Ma’aji were meant strictly for prayers and charitable causes, including spiritual interventions linked to alleged promotion challenges.
However, investigators presented financial records indicating transfers running into millions of naira, including a ₦10m transaction in October 2024, which they said contradicted aspects of his claims.
The prosecution further argued that discussions captured in the videos—particularly references to gaining access and procuring “work tools”—raised concerns about a coordinated scheme, although both individuals denied any knowledge of a coup plot.
Following the presentation of the video evidence, counsel to the sixth defendant, Michael Numa (SAN), told the court that he had just been served with his client’s video exhibits and required time to study them.
While defence counsel sought an adjournment, the prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), urged the court to adhere to its earlier directive for accelerated hearing of the case.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently adjourned proceedings till May 11, 12 and 13, 2026, for continuation of trial.
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