Court orders 7 alleged cultists be remanded in prison

The police said they recovered some arms from the suspects.

An Ilorin Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday ordered seven accused persons, charged with alleged cultism, to be remanded in prison until January 13.

The accused persons, Sarafa Ismail, Shola Ogungboye, Shola Bolaji, Bankole Julius, and Bolaji Issa were all alleged to be members of the Eiye Confraternity, a cult group.

Other accused persons include Opeyemi Afeez and Ismaila Abdullahi.

The police prosecutor, Abideen Oderinde, said that the accused were arrested on December 18, 2013 in Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area, of Kwara.

Mr. Abideen, a corporal, said that the accused persons had gathered inside the bush behind the College of Education, Oro to attend the cult’s initiation of new members on the night of December 17, 2013.

He said some residents of the area alerted the police on December 18, 2013 in the morning, consequent upon which the seven suspects were arrested while boarding a vehicle to Ilorin.

Mr. Abideen said when the accused persons were searched, a black bag containing one double barrel gun, six expended cartridges, spanner, screw driver, one torch light and some weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from Ismail.

He said the accused were arraigned on a three-count charge of being members of a secret cult, unlawful possession of Indian hemp and illegal possession of firearms.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened section 11 of Secret Societies Law of Kwara 2004, section 5 of Indian Hemp Law Act Cap 16 of Nigeria 2004 and section 3, subsection 1 of Robbery and Firearms (Special Provision) Act Cap R11 Law of Nigeria 2004.

All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.

The prosecutor objected to their bail on the ground that the alleged offences were not ordinarily bailable.

The Magistrate, Mercy Abikoye, ordered the accused persons to be remanded in Mandala Prison Yard, Ilorin.

(NAN)