Ogun state police command today charged to court, 14 suspected cultists earlier arrested during their mass initiation at an hotel in Abeokuta, the state capital.
The accused, who were part of the 32 suspected cultists paraded before newsmen last week at the police command headquarters in Eleweran were arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court 1 sitting in Isabo area of the metropolis on a 4-count charge bothering on engaging in acts capable of breaching the public peace, membership of an unlawful association as well as illegal possession of firearms among other.
In the charge sheet read before the court by the police prosecutor, Sunday Ehiagbejiale, the 14 accused allegedly conspired to commit felony “to wit a member of unlawful society, “Aye”, thereby committed an offense contrary to and punishable under Section 45 (b) of the revised laws of the state as ammended 2017.The suspected cultists, who included 23 years old Oshibowale Kehinde; Sanusi Rasheed (25); Oshinaike Adebayo (20); Kwam Ayinla; as well as Olabiyi Toheeb (22) among others were also accused of conducting themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of public peace thereby, committed an offense punishable under Section 249 of the Criminal Code laws of Ogun state of Nigeria 2006.
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The charge sheet further stated that the accused unlawfully have at their possession, assorted weapons which included: two cut-to-size locally made double barrelled pistols, four pump action guns, 11 live catridges without licence which is contrary to and punishable under Section 4 of the Firearms Act CAP “F” law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Other suspected cult members arraigned imvluded: Olayiwola Toheeb, Oguntoyinbo Kunmi, Olatunde Segun, Abiodun Idowu, Abakuyamo Gbemisoke, Waheed Adeniyi, Ojelabi Olayinka, Fatola Seyi as well as Ajayi Lekan.
In their applications for bail different accused of the 14 suspected cultists, five counsels, Barristers: Michael Figbele; Oludare Adejare; Bunmi Adelabu; Adebola Kudoro and Austin Ihugba all prayed the court to admitt the accused perdons to bail, stressing that the Constitutions still presumed them innocent of the charges preferred against them until they are proven guilty.But objecting the bail applications of the accused persons, the Police Prosecutor, Ehiagbejiale argued that the 14 accused persons were criminals arrested at the scene of the crime.
Ehiagbejiale further argued that in view of the various weapons discovered at their possession during their arrest, all the accused persons posed serious security threats to members of the society, particularly the security operatives if they are granted bail.
Ruling on their bail applications, Chief Magistrate Adeola Adelaja however, granted all the accused suspected cultists bail to the sum of N. 5 million each with two sureties each of who must possess developed landed property within the magisterial district and evidence of payment of their taxes for a period of not less than three (3) years.
The court however, adjourned further hearing on the matter till December 11th this year.
