Court remands 5 men over alleged cultism, unlawful possession of arms

By Dorcas Elusogbon

An Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court on Monday, ordered the remand of five men in a correctional facility over alleged membership of a secret cult and illegal possession of arms.

The defendants, Akinloye Wasiu, 19, Mutiu Ademola, 26, Stephen James, 33, Yayah Abass, 27 and Fidelis Stephen, 22, are being prosecuted for cultism and unlawful possession of arms.

The Magistrate, Abosede Sarumi, ordered the remand of the defendants in a correctional facility pending the consideration of the bail application.

Sarumi adjourned the case until May 17, for hearing

Earlier, the Prosecutor, Insp Sunday Osanyintuyi, told the court that the defendants committed the offences at about 1.00p.m. on April 13, at Ife Metros, Ile-Ife.

Osanyintuyi said that the defendants carried arms illegally and threatened members of the public.

”They paraded as members of a secret cult called Alora confraternity, they had Indian Hemp in their possession.

”They smoked publicly and conducted themselves in a manner capable of causing breach of the public peace,” he said.

The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 62, 71, 80, 249(d), 430 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2023.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The Defence Counsel, Mrs Innocental Akhigbe, prayed the court to grant the defendants bail in the most liberal terms,

She assured that the defendants would provide credible sureties, and would not jump bail.

(NAN)