Court remands 23 suspected cultists in prison custody in Osun

An Osogbo Chief Magistrate’s Court in Osun on Monday remanded 23 suspected cult members of the Eiye and Aiye Confraternity in Ilesa prison custody for alleged breach of public peace and possession of Cannabis Sativa, popularly known as Indian Hemp.

The defendants include Abidemi Rapheal,35, Omotosho Sunday ,21, Fatai Adeyemi ,35, Lekan Kolapo,19, Ajetunmobi Jamiu ,18, Saqiq Adebayo 19, Ayodele Tosin, 29, Oke Gbenga ,25, Balogun Ayodeji ,18.

Others include Ogunsile Lekan, 18, Lateef Quadri ,18, Pele Kehinde ,42, Olaoye Kayode ,24, Ajibade Tosinloba,18, Taofeeq Lamidi ,35, Saheed Adedeji,34,Wasiu Adeniyi ,27, Rasak Fadulilah,23, Oderinwale Kabiru,30, Nweke Emmanuel,21,Agbom Sunday ,22, Sefiu Muhammed ,22, and WasiuOyedeji ,22.

The Magistrate, Mrs Rofiat Olayemi denied the accused persons bail and ordered that the defendants be remanded in Ilesa prison due considering the current security challenges in Osun State.

She told the counsel to the accused persons that though the alleged offences of the defendants were bailable, they would be denied bail because their release might threaten the peace of the state.

Olayemi said she was aware of the recent attacks by some suspected thugs in the state and the shootings that accompanied their clashes, stressing that it was disturbing and such incidents checkmated.

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The Police Prosecutor, ASP John Idoko informed the court that the defendants committed the offence on June 13, at about 8:30 pm, along Old Garage opposite Freedom Park, Osogbo.

Idoko said the young accused persons who are members of Eiye and Aiye secret Confraternity conspired among themselves to breach the peace of the state and were also found to be in possession of Indian Hemp popularly known as Cannabis Sativa.

He said the offence committed contravened sections 430 (a)(b), 249(d), 516(1)A, and 64 (a) of the criminal code cap 34 vol. 11, laws of Osun, 2003.

All the accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the four-count charge preferred against them.

Their lead counsel, Mrs Teju Kolawole had attempted to apply for an oral bail application but Magistrate Olayemi interrupted her and said she would not release them on bail notwithstanding that their offences were entitled to bail.

She subsequently adjourned till June 24, 2019, for bail applications.